There are so many emotions and lessons to glean from John 11
in the story of Lazarus and one of them is being patient in the delays.
Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus had fallen ill and they
reached out to their dear friend, Jesus. They knew he could touch Lazarus and
heal him; they had seen it done before. They knew Jesus’ love for them and Lazarus and
surely once he heard he would waste no time in coming. However, they waited not
two days but four days before Jesus appeared. Four days may not seem long but
when grieving the loss of a family member it can seem like an eternity. We see
they worried, wondering where Jesus was and why he had not come. Where was
their Lord, the one they longed for to come touch their brother and give them
comfort? They were hurting and sorrowful over the sickness and now death of
their Lazarus. They were experiencing heartache while waiting for Jesus to
come, if he ever came. I’m sure doubt
set in. They turned to those around them for comfort. Maybe they had even given
up hope. They didn't understand the delay.
I’m sure it was even hard for Jesus to delay his journey
there as this family meant a lot to him and scriptures say he loved them very
much. Jesus says that he was glad he didn't rush there before he died or he
would have healed him right there and missed the opportunity for his Father to
shine and for those around to believe! This passage is so full of the character
of our Lord who feels every pain, longing, sorrow, joy and gladness we feel!
But then…. Martha heard that Jesus was coming!! Finally! She
rushed out to meet him but Mary stayed home. I think Martha didn't think twice about
going or staying but ran to meet him to give him a piece of her mind! “Why didn't
you come earlier? Now my brother has died!” And I just wonder if Mary stayed
back, not wanting to see Jesus because she was too grieved, and maybe a little
ashamed of her doubt. How many times have we seen Jesus’ faithfulness in our
lives and yet when our next storm hits and we wail and wallow wondering where
he is when He’s been there all along waiting for us to refocus on Him. When Mary finally went to meet him, for he had
called for her, she fell at his feet. I
know many times I doubt in the delay and when God shows himself I feel horrible for my lack of faith. He’s done it before in my life, you know been so faithful, so why do I doubt he won’t do it
again?!
Mary and Martha were distraught and still consumed by grief and instead
of being relieved that Jesus was finally there, they demanded to know why he
had not come sooner because their brother would still be alive! He didn't reprimand them but Jesus saw and
felt their pain. His own heart ached. He too felt the deep emotions of a lost
friend and for these ladies who thought Lazarus was truly gone. He wept right along with them.
In our own lives, we rush
ahead of what God wants to do. In the midst of our trials it is hard to focus
our mind on Him. God works for our good but most importantly He works for His
glory. He sees the bigger picture, the end result. What if we went through each
trial in our life with expectation! Once we were through it we knew our miracle
would come! Jesus wasn't being mean or unthoughtful in his actions to delay but
the timing was not right for what he needed to accomplish.
I love the way one
commentary puts it “God's delays, in
answering prayers offered to him by persons in distress, are often proofs of
his purpose to confer some great kindness, and they are also proofs that his
wisdom finds it necessary to permit an increase of the affliction, that his
goodness may be more conspicuous in its removal.”
Jesus knew waiting periods would be tough because the bible
is full of encouragement for us to hold on, to wait in His strength. It’s ok to
have to wait. You are ok in the midst of the delay.
Psalms 3:5 “I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the
Lord sustains me.” The definition of sustain is “to provide what is needed for”.
The Lord nurtures and nourishes us even in the waiting.
And Habakkuk 2:3 “For the revelation awaits an appointed
time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for
it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
The message says “If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It
will come right on time.” I know it seems to be a cliché but it holds true that
God is always on time.
Whatever it is you’re waiting for, keep waiting and hold on
and don’t give up. Is it a promise God has given you? Is it a prayer you've continued
to pray over and over? Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in the waiting, strength
to not grow weary. Make this time of waiting an opportunity to bring him honor
and grow closer to him. Cling to his hope even if the answer seems to be
delayed. Continue to seek Him and don’t be surprised when He shows up, just in
the nick of time! Your miracle is coming! We can hope in the fact that his
unsurpassing power and glory will be revealed when it does.
It should stir excitement
within us to know He is always at work so that when the time comes, we will stand
in awe of Him. The delay always brings something greater than we can imagine.
