During Jesus’ ministry, He had formed a close relationship with three siblings – Lazarus, Mary, and Martha – of the town of Bethany. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (v.5). The scripture refers to Lazarus as a certain man who was sick (v.1). His sister, Mary, is the same Mary “who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair (v.2). Because of the close friendship these siblings had with Jesus, the sisters sent Him a message, letting Him know “the one whom You love is sick” (v.3). We do not know the nature or severity of his illness; we do know that when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ sickness, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory and honor of God.” A miracle would soon be performed “that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (v.4). Jesus declared on another occasion that He had all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, the songwriter wrote “My God can do anything.”
In order to demonstrate His power for the sisters and the disciples to believe, Jesus would use his friend’s sickness to prove His sovereignty. After getting the word that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed where He was two more days (v.6). Then He told the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again” (v.7; 10:31-42). The disciples reminded Him of the danger of going back to Judea. “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again (v.8; 10:31-33)?”
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world (v.9). But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him” (v.10). These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (v.11). Praise God that Jesus has the power to wake up the dead. Trust and believe that He is all- powerful.