Thoughts on the Gospel of John (90) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.
John 11:1-3.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (90)
From the introductory verses of this chapter we can deduce that John's gospel was written after the other gospels. The writer assumes that readers will know the two women, Mary and Martha, better than the town of Bethany, for it is described as the town of Mary and Martha. Moreover, it is said of Mary that she anointed the Lord, although John doesn't mention this act until the next chapter. It was obviously well known.

These three siblings, Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived together in one house. They had already invited the Lord there once, when Martha was the hostess (Luke 10:38-42). It was a house marked by godly fear, where Jesus was honoured and His love experienced. Now, however, the house had not been spared sickness, for Lazarus became fatally ill.

What were the sisters to do? Should they ask the Lord to come and heal Lazarus? That would certainly appear to be best. They knew that the Lord had already cured many others. But they did not ask Him to come. They simply relied on His love and reported their worry. They didn't mention their own love of the Lord, but appealed to His love of Lazarus. Their trust in the Lord and His love gave them the assurance that they could leave everything to Him. He would do the right thing.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Jeremiah 43:1-13 · Romans 11:1-10