THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM
John 11:3-10 NKJV
3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love 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 may be glorified through it."
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 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?"
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
This chapter is the famous one that tells the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The chapter starts with the news coming to Jesus that Lazarus is sick. Martha and Mary wanted Jesus to come to them. And here is where we see Jesus operate differently than most people. The term marching to the beat of a different drum is used to describe someone who goes their own way. Someone who acts differently than most people. Differently definitely describes Jesus. He marched to the beat of a different drum, but His drum was the right one.
Jesus declared that, even though Lazarus was sick, his sickness would not end in death. It is important to note that. Jesus had insight from the Holy Spirit as to what would take place. With that declaration in mind, the next two verses are not as problematic. Jesus loved the whole family of Lazarus. This was a family He was close to. And when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days where he was. At face value, that doesn't seem right. If Jesus loved that family, why didn't He rush to the bedside of Lazarus?
I had an instructor in Bible school who made a statement I have never forgotten. He said that no matter what you see in the scriptures that you do not understand, always stay on God's side. I thought that was a great statement, and it has helped me through the years. Trust me, there will always be things that we don't understand. But I have learned God is always right and just. God is way smarter than I am. So I stay with Him. Jesus was not trying to hurt this family. He was being led by the Spirit of God.
When Jesus made the decision to go to Lazarus, the disciples pushed back. The Jews were trying to stone Him, and the disciples thought that if they went with Him, everyone would die. Thomas said as much in verse sixteen. But Jesus spoke of walking in the light. In the natural world, when you can see where you are going, you do not stumble. When you walk in darkness, you trip over things. Remember, Jesus did not walk as all-knowing God on the earth. He walked as all God, yet all man anointed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not know everything about everything. He was dependent on the Holy Spirit to lead Him and instruct Him. Jesus went to a fig tree in Mark chapter eleven to see if there were any figs. If he were all-knowing, He would have never gone to the tree. Jesus stayed two days because the Father instructed Him to. Jesus said He didn't do anything on His own. He was dependent on God. When God led Him to go to Lazarus, it was safe. And Jesus did exactly what He said would happen. Lazarus' sickness did not end in death but in a marvelous resurrection from the dead.
Jesus was not trying to cause trauma and angst to Lazarus and his family. Jesus was waiting for the leading of the Spirit to help the ones He loved.
APPLICATION
We don't ever want to assume God is playing games with us. We don't ever want to think He is cruel. Regardless of what is going on, stay on His side. We may not understand, but we look through the tears and declare that we love Him and trust Him and depend on Him. And we believe when it's all said and done, it will be for our good and His glory.
PRAYER
Lord, I love You and trust You. Thank You for leading me and guiding me by Your Spirit. Thank You for loving me.