7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”
11:7
Then
After waiting two days, Jesus made His decision to visit Lazarus.
after this He said to the disciples,
Jesus’ delay in coming to Mary and Martha had to do with a need in His disciples.
“Let us go to Judea again.”
The announcement about going to “Judea again” disturbed Jesus’ disciples. Many people there were trying to kill Him. The focus of Jesus here is on “Judea,” not on the healing of Lazarus. His interest was to develop the faith of His disciples. Going back to Judea was a test of their faith.
11:8
The disciples said to Him,
Jesus’ disciples objected to His going to Bethany to visit friends there.
“Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You,
The disciples reminded Jesus of the dangers in Judea. He could be killed there.
and are You going there again?”
Going back to Judea would place the entire team in jeopardy. The disciples had serious reservations about going back into a hostile situation.
PRINCIPLE:
Delays in our lives are for the purpose of testing our faith.
APPLICATION:
Delays are part of God’s plan for our lives. We need to accept God’s schedule for us. God’s tests have many purposes, such as our personal growth, testimony to those without Christ, encouragement to those with Christ, etc. (1 Pe 1:6-8; 4:11-12).
