For the Increase of His Glory

When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (Jn 11:4)

Jesus knew that Lazarus was sick; he even knew that he was going to die. And when he heard the request of Mary and Martha to come, he still stayed two more days. He allowed Lazarus to get sick and die, and appeared to ignore the supplications of Mary and Martha. All this was so that God would be glorified. As we pray for the lost, that God would rescue them from the path of destruction, we cannot know if perhaps God delays his answer for the increase of his glory. He allowed Mary and Martha and Lazarus to suffer for a season, knowing that their joy would be greater in the end and that he would receive greater glory.