WHAT KIND OF LOVE?

WHAT KIND OF LOVE?

John 11:1-6

11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

          This section of scripture is rich with information. Here we learn of Bethany, “the house of dates,” so named because of the beautiful date palms that were plentiful there. It has come to be known as el-Azariyeh or “place of Lazarus.” It sits on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives about two miles from Jerusalem. It was a place of safety and retreat for Jesus.

          Next we learn a bit of history about Mary in verse two. Mary was the very one who poured out the expensive ointment and then wiped the Lord’s feet with her hair. She was more inclined to sit at those anointed feet than to rattle in the kitchen with her sister Martha.

          The next bit of information is learned only by checking on the specific meaning of the word “LOVE.” In verse three we see that a message was sent to Jesus which said: “Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is sick.” The word “lovest” here is the Greek word phileo which indicates a fondness for a friend.

          In a teaching moment for the disciples, Jesus explained in verse four that Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death but for the purpose of glorifying the Son of God. With that statement made the disciples probably thought Jesus would go immediately to heal Lazarus but that was not the case. Jesus lingered where he was for another two days. What kind of love was this?

          Again in verse five we must check the original language for the specific meaning of the word “LOVE.” Whereas in verse three it was said that Jesus loved, or was friends with, Lazarus, now we learn that Jesus loved these three with the highest form of love. The love of verse five is agape love. He loved Mary for her devotion, Martha for her service and Lazarus for providing a safe place for him but this love was the love that issued forth from God. This was redemptive love.

          It is this love relationship that makes verse six so hard to understand. Why would Jesus linger and lounge about for an additional two days while Lazarus was sick? Because the raising of Lazarus is so familiar we already have our answer. But what about the strange actions of those whom we love and those who love us? Are there times when it seems that their actions do not match the love they claim to have for us? Yet love waits for the answer. Love holds things together that do not make sense.

John 15:9

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Dear Lord, in those times when your actions are hard to understand, I know that you love me. AMEN