The Resurrection and the Life
John 11 When Lazarus’s sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was ill, they said, “Lord, he who you love is ill.” The idea that God is love originates with the Bible. The gods of the Greeks and Romans were not loving. The gods of the Asians and Africans were not loving. The gods of the Native Americans were not loving. Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” [i] (John 14:9) Jesus was loving. Jesus taught that God is love, and said: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) This loving God delayed two days after He received word that Lazarus was sick. John tells us: 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. (John 11:5-6) According to this, it was because He loved them that He delayed. Jesus was working to give them a