You get the sense that John understates the gravity of the situation when he writes, “a certain man was ill” (John 11:1).  Whatever had overtaken Lazarus, it was serious enough that his sisters sent word to Jesus.  The gravity of his health situation was such that they knew they needed the Great Physician’s intervention if their brother was to pull through.  It had become clear that their brother’s prognosis was not good . . . that given the possible outcomes, recovery or death, death appeared to have the edge.  But Jesus saw in the situation a third outcome . . . another ending that wasn’t on anyone’s radar . . . a divine consequence arising from this natural tragedy.  Jesus offered a new prognosis . . . the glory of God.

So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, he who You love is ill.”  But when Jesus heard it He said, “This illness does not lead to death.  It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  (John 11:3-4  ESV)

No one’s looking for trials . . . we’d just soon avoid “bad stuff” . . . but reality is, we all encounter it.  Even when we have the diagnosis, often we still can’t help but ask why?  There’s no apparent cause and effect . . . not like I did this and that happened.  Sometimes THAT just happens.  And sometimes the outcome of THAT is uncertain, at best.  The prognosis isn’t known . . . or isn’t good.  But, for the child of God, there is a set of outcomes that we can align ourselves and our futures to . . . the glory of God.

When the unexpected happens . . . when control is lost . . . when desperation sets in . . . when the outcome is up in the air . . . there is one scenario that the believer can align to . . . one end result that we can aspire to . . . one prognosis that we, in our crazy, roller-coaster trials can be certain of, if we believe . . .  that He would be glorified through it.

Jesus said to her, “Did not I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”  (John 11:40  ESV)

In Mary and Martha’s case the “natural outcome” was a supernatural event . . . the raising of Lazarus from a tomb in which he had been buried for 4 days . . . a miracle which attested to the Jesus’ claim as Messiah.  And while many believers have also known the divine intervention of the Healer, just as many have not . . . but still there has been a supernatural outcome.  It is the peace which passes understanding . . . it is the assurance of God’s abiding presence through His indwelling Spirit . . . it is the clarity of vision concerning things to come, things not of this world.

There is a new prognosis for those who believe . . . an outcome from the way we live  . . . a result from the way we suffer . . . a life-transcending legacy even in the manner in which we cross death’s dark vale . . . that, by the grace of God, in all things we would bring glory to God.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”  She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”  (John 11:25-27  ESV)