Can someone close to Jesus, nearly in His “inner circle,” get seriously ill, and even die? Of course, yes!

Some of the older commentators and godly men of the past actually felt that the closer one walked with the Lord … the more apt he or she would be to suffer hardships!

For sure, some saints do endure more trials than others! (Compare the life of the Old Testament Patriarch Job to that of prosperous Abraham!) Philippians 1:29 was given as a Proof Text to me once when I had gone through an extended time of sickness … “For unto you it is GIVEN in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

Wow!

And in the video Lesson, I unashamedly called Mary and Martha’s Message to Jesus a “prayer.” Here it is again … “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”

Can the Lord give us the “desires” of our heart, without our pleading and pleading for them?

I believe so. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the DESIRES of thine heart.” No strenuous prayers mentioned!

One commentator labeled the two John 11 sisters as “introverted Mary” and “extroverted Martha!” I think he may be right!

Jesus heard of Lazarus’ sickness, then waited two days before returning to Bethany (20 miles or so between the Jordan River where Jesus was to the village of Bethany near Jerusalem) … thus arriving on the “third day” as calculated by John!

From this clearly pronounced timeline I deduce that the death (and resurrection) of Lazarus has some symbolic reference to Jesus’ Death and (on the third day) Resurrection!

Actually, the one led to the Other!

One more quote … “When feeling God’s (heavy) Hand, remember God’s (loving) Heart!”

Oh, the amazing Lessons remaining in John chapter 11!

But first, watch this one …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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