John 11:3 – “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’”
Extended Explanation
This verse reveals the deep relationship between Jesus and Lazarus. Mary and Martha don’t even mention Lazarus by name when they send word to Jesus—they simply call him “the one you love.” This shows their confidence in Jesus’ affection for their brother. They believe that just informing Jesus of the situation will be enough for Him to act.
This verse is both a request and an expression of faith. The sisters don’t demand anything from Jesus or tell Him what to do; they simply bring their concern to Him. They trust that His love for Lazarus means He will respond in the best way.
However, as the story unfolds, Jesus does not respond immediately. Instead, He delays, allowing Lazarus to die before performing an even greater miracle—raising him from the dead. This reminds us that God’s timing often looks different from our expectations, but it is always for a greater purpose.
Historical Context
In Jewish culture, sickness was often viewed as more than just a physical problem—it could also be seen as a sign of divine testing or even judgment. This makes the sisters’ request even more significant. They don’t ask for an explanation of Lazarus’ sickness, nor do they express fear that Jesus won’t help. They simply bring the problem to Him, knowing He loves their brother.
Communication during this time was much slower than today. The message had to be delivered on foot, and by the time it reached Jesus, Lazarus may have already been dead or near death. The sisters likely expected Jesus to come immediately, yet He chose to wait. This delay would have been confusing to them, but it was part of His larger plan to reveal His power over death.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights a key truth: God’s love does not mean immediate relief from suffering. The fact that Jesus loved Lazarus didn’t mean Lazarus would avoid sickness or even death. But it did mean that his suffering had a purpose.
Many people assume that if God loves them, He will prevent hardship. But this verse reminds us that love and suffering can coexist. Jesus loved Lazarus deeply, and yet Lazarus still got sick. His illness was not a sign that Jesus had forgotten or abandoned him. Instead, it was an opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed in an even greater way.
It also teaches us about prayer and faith. The sisters did not give Jesus a list of demands. They simply laid their burden before Him and trusted that He would act in love. This is a model for how we should bring our concerns to God—humbly, confidently, and with trust in His wisdom.
Literary Analysis
John’s writing style is very intentional in this verse. Instead of saying, “Lazarus is sick,” the message is framed around love: “The one you love is sick.” This wording emphasizes the personal, relational nature of Jesus’ ministry. He wasn’t a distant healer—He was a friend who cared deeply.
The verse also builds anticipation. The reader naturally expects Jesus to rush to Lazarus’ side, but instead, Jesus delays. This unexpected turn forces us to ask: Why would Jesus wait? This tension makes the coming miracle even more powerful.
Additionally, the structure of this verse mirrors the way people often pray. The sisters don’t make a formal request—they simply present their need to Jesus. This reflects how believers are invited to come to God with honesty and trust, knowing that He already cares.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Encourages us to bring our burdens to God.)
- Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Shows Jesus’ invitation to those in distress.)
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Demonstrates that God’s delays and plans serve a greater good.)
- Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Reinforces the importance of bringing our concerns to the Lord.)
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse teaches us how to respond when we or someone we love is facing suffering. Just like Mary and Martha, we should bring our burdens to Jesus, trusting that He hears us and cares.
It also reminds us that God’s love does not mean we will be free from hardship. Some people assume that if they are going through difficulties, it must mean that God is distant or uncaring. But this verse shows that even those whom Jesus loves deeply can face sickness and trials. The key is to trust in His greater plan, even when we don’t understand it.
Finally, this verse encourages us to pray with faith. The sisters didn’t have a long, complicated prayer—they simply told Jesus their need and trusted Him to act. This is a powerful reminder that prayer is not about the right words, but about coming to God with a heart that trusts in His love.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse highlights God’s personal love for His people. Jesus did not love Lazarus in a general or distant way—He loved him personally, as a friend. This reminds us that God’s love is not abstract; it is real, relational, and personal.
However, this verse also challenges our understanding of love. If Jesus loved Lazarus, why did He let him get sick? The answer is that God’s love does not always work the way we expect, but it is always working for a greater purpose. Jesus’ delay was not neglect—it was part of a plan to reveal His power over death.
This means that when we face suffering, we can still trust in God’s love. He may not act in the way we expect or on our preferred timeline, but His love never fails.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse foreshadows Jesus’ mission to defeat death. Lazarus’ illness and eventual death set the stage for Jesus to perform one of His greatest miracles—raising him from the grave. This miracle pointed to the ultimate resurrection Jesus would accomplish through His own death and resurrection.
It also shows Jesus’ compassion. Later in John 11, we see that Jesus is deeply moved by the grief of Mary and Martha (John 11:35). Even though He knows He will raise Lazarus, He still shares in their sorrow. This reflects how Jesus is both fully God and fully human—powerful enough to conquer death, yet compassionate enough to weep with those who suffer.
This verse also connects to Jesus’ teachings about faith. Just as the sisters trusted Jesus with their brother’s life, we are called to trust Jesus with our own lives, knowing that He is our only true hope.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How do you typically respond when facing a crisis—do you bring it to Jesus like Mary and Martha did?
- Have you ever felt like God was delaying in answering your prayers? How did that experience shape your faith?
- What does this verse teach us about how we should pray?
- How does knowing that Jesus loved Lazarus personally encourage you in your relationship with Him?
- How does this verse challenge your understanding of God’s love and suffering?