Now Jesus Loved Martha and Her Sister and Lazarus

(John 11:1-7)

"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. When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it'. 

"NOW JESUS LOVED MARTHA AND HER SISTER AND LAZARUS. So (because He loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus), when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."

Why did Jesus not immediately make His was back to Bethany to heal Lazarus whom He ultimately raised from the dead? He wanted those He loved to understand that He had whatever He said because He was one with the Father! Interestingly, the centurion approached Jesus to heal his servant and said "only say the word, and my servant shall be healed". Jesus informed the centurion that He had not seen such faith, not even in Israel. In this portion of scripture, we see Jesus teaching those He loved, in a time of high concern and emotion, this very principle: whatever I (Jesus) say comes to pass! Those He loved knew He was able to perform miraculous signs and would have appreciated immediate action! What Jesus told them came to fruition - they needed to know that more than any perception they might have!

"Whom the Lord LOVES He chastens (disciplines), and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:6) 

"As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten (bring discipline). Therefore, be zealous and repent." Be eager and enthusiatic in your turning to Him as you are corrected/directed. They were/we are disciplined in trusting His living words to us even as He bears long with us!