The Word

John 11:5-6 (NIV)

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

 

Interesting!! John tell us that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus but He did not run immediately over to Lazarus to heal him. He tarried a few more days.  Why would Jesus tarry in visiting a dying friend? If you want to find the reason why God delays, read on!! 

 

Commentary

Life Application I don't know about you, but I always have the tendency to feel that things are done on time if they are done on my time. Oh, I am a lot better than I used to be. I used to be a "gotta have it now" and a "gotta do it now" freak. Praise the Lord,  my sense of urgency and timing has been tamed by knowing that He is in control of everything and there is nothing impossible to Him. But I still wrestle with understanding God's ways and thoughts. The reason I cannot understand them is because His thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are His ways my ways" (paraphrasing Isaiah 55:8-9). His ways and His thoughts are infinitely higher than mine. He can see the whole picture. We can only see what is right in front of us. Oh, that we could understand and believe that He is always looking out for our best.

 

One of my favorite phrases since my conversion has been the one that says "God might not be early, but He is never late". Hmm? I believe I have to change phrases as I contemplate my answer to the following question: "Late on whose terms"? Unfortunately, my personal answer to this question is, "my terms". Again, in this piece of scripture Jesus is compassionate enough to give us two important reasons why He might delay in answering our prayers.

 

The first reason is that the Father will be glorified through the Son. Everything that Jesus did while walking on Earth brought glory to God the Father. That is what Jesus said He came to do on Earth - to bring glory to the Father (John 14:13). Jesus knew that if He healed Lazarus when it was "beyond repair" in the minds of Martha and Mary, the glory to the Father would infinitely more powerful.

 

The second reason  was for our sake-- that we may believe that there is nothing impossible to God. Our limited perception of "on time" had to be changed with a great example of God's power to fix what is deemed in our minds "beyond repair". This is one miracle in which the evil one could not put any doubt in anyone's mind that God had indeed performed a miracle. The power of resurrection is found in no one but God.

 

I have come to see lately that my definition of late and on time does not align with God's definition. I view late and  on time as defined by my limitations to change them on my own strength. God is not limited by anything to answer your prayers. And you should not be limited by anything to believe that God can answer your prayers.  Trust and believe in His power and strength, not on your own.

 

When Jesus finally arrived to see Lazarus, Lazarus he had been dead for three days. Then Martha took Jesus  to the tomb where they had put her brother. As they were rolling away the stone that covered the tomb Martha said to Jesus: "But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days" (John 11:39).  Can you smell what they probably smelled as they rolled away the stone? Why do you think that John shared this part of the miracle with us? I believe he did  because he knew that bad circumstances smell bad. You are probably in one of those circumstances that "stink" to high Heavens!

 

Brethren, do you see what God is trying to tell you today with these scriptures. His ways and His thoughts are not your ways and your thoughts. And there is nothing "beyond repair" for God. What is that thing that you are deeming "beyond repair?" What is stinking in your life right now? Does your marriage stink and seems "beyond repair"? Do your sons and daughters stink and seem beyond repair? Do your personal relationships stink and seem beyond repair? Does your job stink and seems beyond repair? Does your financial situation stink and seems beyond repair?  Then go to God and ask the One who has the power of resurrection to resurrect whatever is already stinking in your life. This Jesus will do for you so that the Father will be glorified through the Son and so that you may believe that there is nothing impossible with God. Hallelujah to the One who has the power to resurrect anything that you bring to His throne of grace.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your resurrection power in our lives. Thank You for always being willing and able to answer all of our prayers in Your perfect timing and manner. Thank You for giving us this revelation of your resurrection power in our lives. Father, today make Your resurrection power known to those who are feeling that things are "beyond repair".  Resurrect and restore every relationship, marriage, and situation that is brought to You by those who  believe today that You have the power of resurrection. Thank You for the blood of my savior, the Lamb that took away my sins. In His precious name I ask and thank You. Amen.

 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit