WAITING ON JESUS
John 11:3-6 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
[4] When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
[5] Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
[6] When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
Earlier this week, I got word from a dear brother in Christ and friend of mine, that he was sick and hurting. This man was reaching out for prayer and help from the Lord. He loves the Lord and he is faithful and in my flesh I began to ask myself all the questions we so often present to the Lord. The main question….WHY??? I went to the Lord in prayer and then I came across this passage in scripture.
Above, we see they loved the Lord and HE loved them, this they were sure of, so when their brother Lazarus fell seriously ill they sent word to Jesus. Their words were few; “he whom thou lovest is sick.” It was Jesus’ love for Lazarus, not Lazarus’ love for the Lord that they were calling upon. Martha and Mary understood that this is where a person’s worth comes from; HIS love for us, not our love for HIM. They were banking on the Lord’s love for Lazarus, believing that HIS love would give the healing their heart so desperately desired. What heartache when HE didn’t come. They did not understand. Did Jesus not realize how sick Lazarus was? Why did HE not come right away? Their grief had shut out the light and hope they were so desperate to have.
As these two sisters mourned the loss of their beloved brother, questions of doubt plagued their minds. Why had Jesus waited? Was there a reason why HE did not come earlier? HE came too late, so now what? Did Jesus not love us the way we thought HE did? Why did our brother have to suffer and then die at such a young age? Was Jesus so busy doing the Father’s work and healing everyone else that HE could not make time for us? Are the needs of others more important than ours? How can anything good come out of this?
If we are honest, we have all asked these questions at some point in our lives. Have YOU ever wondered, “Why hasn’t Jesus intervened by now”? “Why hasn’t HE healed me or someone else”? “Why all the suffering”? Even though I do not have ALL the answers. The Word of God here in this passage is very clear. The reason we are talking about this event that really happened, is NOT because Jesus healed Lazarus; but because Jesus RAISED Lazarus from the dead. Hallelujah! Jesus received the greater glory, from the seemingly, greater tragedy.
Grief seeks answers hoping to gain consolation. Jesus seeks grief in order to give us consolation. Jesus knew that a greater glory was to be found in the resurrection not in the healing. The Lord will always seek the greater glory, and in the glory will come healing in its time. Even in the taking, God wants to give the greater gifts and GET GREATER GLORY! Dear Christian, may I encourage you today that JESUS LOVES YOU AND ME IN ALL THINGS AND AT ALL TIMES. If you are waiting on the Lord to answer your prayer, to heal you and intervene; know this, HE is NOT late, and HE has not forgotten you. Jesus is simply waiting for the PERFECT time, and absolute PERFECT way for HIM to use you and get the greatest glory out of your life. One day when you meet Jesus face to face, it will all be worth it, and you will know HIS Grace was sufficient!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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