Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

Luke 11:5-6

For Meditation

This is one of the most perplexing passages in sacred scripture until you read the entire story (Jn. 11:1-44).

Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, yet He did not respond immediately to her call for their brother’s healing. He had something better planned for them – the revelation of God’s glory in His Son to them in an amazing way (4, 40-42). This called for more than the healing of Lazarus. God had a plan to take them on a trip from complete hopelessness to the peak of glory where His Son would be revealed as “the Resurrection and the Life” (25-26).

“So, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days” (5).

Lazarus dies, and is buried. Jesus walks in and calmly encourages the disappointed sisters. He disregards the mocking crowd and raises the man who had been in the tomb for four days and supposed to be with “a bad odor” (39). Amazing!

We all get frustrated when we do not receive immediate responses to our prayers. We know God loves us and that He has assured us of His response to our prayers (Jn. 14:13-14). What we lack is the understanding of His intentions regarding our desperate situations (Jn. 11:4; 9:3). Because He cares for us, He always presents us with situations that will reveal to us a higher level of His glory (Rm. 8:28).  He builds our faith through the crucible and lifts us from ordinary to extraordinary encounters with Him. For, how else could our joy be complete in Him? (Jn. 16:24).

I am confident in Him this morning that something extraordinary is coming my way by His grace. So, I am patient and expectant. I ask you to join me in patiently waiting and trusting in Jesus today.

God has heard your cry. He has collected all your tears and filled the incense altar before His throne with them. They rise to Him as sweet savor and enthrall Him. He has a “Lazarus moment” for you – the time when all hope is gone and you have nothing to hold on to, but Him. That is where He wants you, my friend! Always!

Trust in Him.