Perspectives: The Disciples

John 11:11-15 (NIV)
After he [Jesus] had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.

Today, we’re looking at Jesus’ actions from the perspective of the disciples. One of the things I love about the depiction of the disciples in all four gospels is the way they always seem to be clueless about what Jesus was saying and doing - and honestly, it’s easy to relate to!

Imagine…you’ve been following Jesus for a while, and you’ve just escaped from a town where people were trying to kill Jesus - and you! Then, suddenly, Jesus says he’s planning on returning there soon. Next, you hear word that one of Jesus’ closest friends is sick and needs healing, but Jesus doesn’t seem to care much. He says that he’s going to stay where he is for another two days. Moreover, Jesus keeps on talking in these mysterious riddles, saying stuff about Lazarus sleeping and God’s glory being revealed. I mean, is anyone else confused?

I wonder if the more we look through the eyes of the disciples in this passage, the more it reminds us of how difficult we all can find it to understand what Jesus is doing or saying in our own lives? I wonder if all of us at some point have been baffled at Jesus’ timing or not understood what he’s saying to us?

The disciples show us that we are not alone in our confusion - they remind us that a life following Jesus is full of mystery, questions, learning opportunities and, perhaps most of all, necessary faith that he knows what he’s doing even if we don’t. 

Prayer - Jesus, I bring you my questions and confusion. Help me to have faith and continue following and learning from you, as the disciples did.