36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
Certainly there is nothing more winsome and wooing than the demonstration of pure agape love. Of all the graces, Biblical love is in a league of its own. It is supreme in grabbing the attention and influencing the opinions of the world. The word itself means “to love, esteem, cherish, favor, honor, respect, accept, prize, relish; to be devoted to. It is a love rooted in the mind and will of the subject and means to value, treat as precious, to be devoted to.” Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible, New Testament Lexical Aids. It is no wonder Paul writes to the Church in Corinth the following:
8 Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:8 (NIV)
Indeed, Paul goes on to write that if our actions are not motivated by love they are basically worth nothing of eternal value - showing agape love to be incomparably the greatest.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV)
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13 (NIV)
The demonstration of our Lord’s tears - the display of His sympathy - alerted His Jewish audience to His love for Lazarus thereby dropping the anchor that they so desperately needed to see. The fountains from which love flows are always from God – He is the source of its continual supply. It is our Lord’s desire for us to trust Him and His love for us even when we do not understand and our circumstances leave us baffled. Jesus was preparing to be the dawn of their darkest night just as He is for us as well.
“I will be your sustaining strength; and My peace shall garrison your mind. Only TRUST Me – all I do is done in love. Adversities are a necessity. They are part of the pattern of life’s pilgrimage for every individual; and who can escape them? But I say to you, that for those who walk in Me, and for those who are encircled by the intercessory prayers of My children, I will make of the suffering, yes, I will make of the trials a stepping stone to future blessing.” Frances J. Roberts
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:17-18 (NIV)
Our eternal perspectives, our hope in things to come and our trust in the love our Lord has for us will sustain us through the temporary sufferings we are allowed to walk through. He is never surprised or amazed at our circumstances neither is He wringing His hands in perplexity over what to do. We are called to a life of trust and faithfulness as well as thankfulness.
“Lord guide me in the Christian race, And keep my mind intent on Thee; Rejoicing when I see thy face, And trusting when I cannot see.” K. H. Von Bogatzky
Lastly, we see the murmurings of those who continued to question - "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Many commentators believe these remarks to be peevish and sneering, their words implying that if Jesus could have prevented it, He would have – because He did not they were inclined to believe He could not. I am not quite as certain. At the very least, they continue to question “Why?” Yet Jesus was moments away from silencing these whisperers with a greater work than merely preventing Lazarus’ death – Jesus’ “No’s” are always for a far greater “Yes”. We can trust Him in this. Do we believe this?
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Cor 1:20 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13 (NIV)