John 11:3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

In this Gospel, John is really emphasizing for us that Jesus loved these people; twice in the first 5 verses of this chapter we are told that these are people Jesus loved. We would do well to notice that in verse 3, when the message arrives to Jesus that “He whom You love is sick,” the Greek word for love is Phileo, which is a brotherly love or the love that is found in a close relationship. So, in verse 3 the sisters sent to Jesus saying the one He loves like a brother is sick. But in verse 5, when telling us that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, it’s the Greek word Agapao meaning to love dearly and with contentment. Agapao is a greater love than Phileo. Why is this distinction important? It’s important because it shows us that God does not match our love for Him with His love for us, He exceeds it. No matter how much you love God, He loves you more. You can never exceed His love, nor can you go beyond it. His love for you knows no depth or length and cannot be measured. Hodu la’Adonai ki-tov, Ki le’olam Chasdo – Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, because His loyal love endures forever.