Emphasis Preaching Journal

Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill. He says, "This sickness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it." Was Jesus wrong? After all, Lazarus died and was buried. He was four days dead by the time Jesus came to his tomb. This reference to four days by St. John shows that Lazarus was as dead as he could be, for it was a customary belief that the soul of a Jew stayed by the body for three days before departing forever. Lazarus had died. Was Jesus wrong about Lazarus' "sickness is not unto death?"