John 11:1–35 - Making Sense of Suffering

In the twenty-seventh message of our series through the Gospel of John, Pastor Richard continues into John 11:1–35, examining one of the most difficult questions people wrestle with: If God is all-good and all-powerful, why does He allow suffering?  

As Jesus receives word that His close friend Lazarus is sick, He does something unexpected—He waits. At first glance, His delay seems difficult to understand, especially in light of His deep love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Yet through this familiar account, we discover that God's timing is never absent of purpose, even when His plans remain hidden from our perspective.

This message explores how suffering often challenges our trust in God and tempts us to believe He is distant or inactive. Pastor Richard reminds us that while our understanding is limited by time and circumstance, God is continually working throughout history—and through our own lives—to accomplish His greater purposes. From the rise of empires to the personal struggles we face today, Scripture reveals a God who is faithfully bringing redemption even when we cannot yet see the full picture.  

As Jesus meets Martha and Mary in the midst of their grief, He responds not with indifference, but with compassion. Declaring, "I am the resurrection and the life," and ultimately weeping alongside those He loves, Jesus reveals that God is neither detached from our pain nor unconcerned with our suffering. Instead, He enters into it, offering a hope that extends beyond death itself.

Join us as we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, discovering that while suffering is real, it is never the end of the story. In Christ, we find the One who walks with us in our grief, conquers death through His resurrection, and offers the hope of eternal life.