March 30th, 2025

The Savior’s Pace

John 11:1-16

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Big Idea: Jesus walks at a divine pace that often confronts our expectations but always accomplishes a greater purpose—for our good and His glory.

Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

      I. A Desperate Plea (11:1-3)

  • Lazarus is sick!
  • Mary & Martha send a message for help!

 

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When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.

      II. A Divine Pace (11:4-6)

  • God’s pace is always in perfect step with His will.
  • God’s pace is always in perfect step with His word.
  • God’s pace is always in perfect step with His wisdom.

 

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Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “Just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?” 

9 “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”

11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (called “Twin”[a]) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.”

   III. A Divine Purpose (11:7-16)

  • The disciple’s caution.
  • The Lord’s call.
  • The disciple’s confusion.
  • The Lord’s commission.
  • Thomas’ interesting comment.

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  • God’s delays are not dismissals—they’re designs.
  • Jesus’ pace is not rushed, but always right.
  • His timing produces faith, not just relief.
    “Let us go… that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16)

 

Habakkuk 2:3 – “Though it lingers, wait for it… it will surely come.”
What area of your life feels delayed?

  • Trust Jesus’ pace.
  • Walk with Him even when you don’t understand.

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