In v.5, we read that Jesus loved not only Lazarus, but Mary and Martha as well. Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but he would so in a way that would teach Mary and Martha how to be better Christians.
Jesus is informed that Lazarus is sick and he took four days to leave where he was beyond Jordan to get to Bethany where Lazarus was. I’m sure his disciples must have been wondering what the boss was doing. “Why is he waiting? This is a life and death situation, we need to get moving, Jesus!” Four days they waited and prayed. Finally, God came and did a greater miracle than just healing Lazarus. As a result, many believed!
Why did he make Mary, Martha and others wait on God? The answer is in v.15: “For your sake.” Jesus allowed Lazarus to become sick and die for their benefit. He desired those that knew Lazarus to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and offers eternal life. That’s why he was glad he was not there to heal Lazarus and prevent his death. If Jesus prevented his death, there would be no opportunity to raise him from the dead and fewer people would see who God is and believe on Him.
Think of how many people would never trust in Christ as their Savior if God never allowed anything bad to happen. If we never needed deliverance, why would we ever call upon the Lord? If we never saw how frail and powerless we really are, would we ever need God?
Now consider this. We see the big picture in the life of Mary and Martha. We’re cruising at 30,000 feet looking down and reading the announcement of Lazarus’ terminal illness, his death and resurrection four days later. We don’t see any reason for Mary and Martha to worry because we know the outcome. Why should they fear and be dismayed that Jesus didn’t come yet? Why do they worry? Don’t they know Jesus is God? Four days to wait on God is not that long. How confident we are in God when we know how the story ends!
But what about when you don’t know how the story ends? What about when it’s your family member diagnosed with cancer? Or you lose your job? Or some other calamity happens in your life and you can’t escape the pressure and cruise 30,000 feet above the situation because you’re in up to your neck in the calamity as it slowly unfolds, one plodding and painful day after another? You’ll give anything just to make it end! It’s those days when we need to remember who God is and what he is doing, just as He did for Mary and Martha:
Remember that He sees all things: He knows the suffering you endure. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers...
Remember that He is all powerful. He is in control. Look to see what God is doing – what is God accomplishing through your trial?
Remember that it is “for your sakes” that God does not provide deliverance when you want it. We don’t become more faithful and consistent Christians that trust in Him more and love him more because only good things happen. It’s when we continue to walk with him through hardships that we become better Christians.
Don’t accuse God. Mary and Martha blamed God for the death of Lazarus – “God if you did something, none of this would have happened. It’s all your fault!” When God allows something bad to happen, look to see what God is doing instead of blaming Him.
Remember that God does the unexpected. Upon learning of Lazarus’ illness, the expected reaction would be to heal Lazarus immediately, not wait for him to die. And we would certainly not expect to open a grave! But God is not limited to our expectations and be glad He isn’t: We’re not always right!
Remember, it takes time to build great faith. We’ll have seasons of pain and difficulty that will not be short if we are to be the great Christians God wants us to be. But praise God, those four days didn’t seem so long when Lazarus walked out of that cave! When we get what we prayed for, the season of prayer always seems shorter after the fact!
Remember, God loves us. “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” He loved them and had a purpose for them in this trial. It was for their sakes that he was not there. And he loves you and has a purpose for you in your trial. The sooner we figure that out, the sooner we can patiently wait on God.
