Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

John 11:1-16

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and hersister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wipedhis feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him,saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “Thisillness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God maybe glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard thatLazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then afterthis he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him,“Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going thereagain?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walksin the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But ifanyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 Aftersaying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I goto awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he willrecover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meanttaking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and foryour sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go tohim.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, thatwe may die with him.”

(ESV)