John 11:5-6
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
Impatient Patients?
The first thing this verse shows us is that Jesus loved. He loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. I think the reason the Lord put this verse first in this account was to firmly establish the fact that Jesus loves us. Often, when the Lord doesn't show up immediately we begin to question His love. Does God really care about me? If He cares so much then why... Here's where we can get in to trouble. Think of all the ways you finish that sentence. In a way it boils down to, "If He cares so much then how come He didn't do what I wanted done, when I wanted it done?"
When we start to question the Lord's timetable and plan, doubts creep in like rats to gnaw away at our faith and our belief that God is good. Jesus loved them even though "he stayed where he was two more days." The delay was not due to indifference on Jesus' part. It was all in His plan.
Are you in a place where you've cried to the Lord and he stayed where he was two more days?
Are you thinking like Mary, "Lord, if you had been here ..." (v 32) Are you disappointed, disgruntled and confused? Do things appear to be getting worse? Take heart!
We know the outcome of this story - Lazarus is raised from the dead! The waiting was over. Jesus waited until the sickness went from bad to worse. He waited until Lazarus had died before He came. But why? John 11:45 gives us a clue , "Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him." It can be hard for us to see the Lord's plan through the veil of suffering. We focus so much on our problems and our proposed solutions that we lose sight of the Lord and His plan.
The Lord's plan is to seek and save the lost. He often uses delays to gather people. Many Jews had come to weep with Mary and ended up rejoicing with her! Luke 12:9 tells us, "Then a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead."
Lazarus was the one in need. He needed the Lord's healing touch , but so did many others. Jesus used his need to bless others through him! Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Now Martha, Mary and Lazarus could say, "And we KNOW all things work together for good..." The Lord wants to bless others through us. He wants us to know that all things work together for good...(even delays and death!)
Thought for Today:
Lord, when I am disappointed and confused, let me remember the story of Lazarus. Let me rest in knowing that you love me and your plan is always best. Let me look to you in anticipation of being blessed and being a blessing to others. Grant me a patient heart and the knowledge that your "delays" work for your glory and your kingdom.