When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said, “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
(John 11:32-43)
Background
Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. Lazarus’ health was deteriorating fast. The sisters needed divine help. And they knew where to get it. Jesus. They sent a message to Jesus that Lazarus was ill. They wanted him to come on their timeline. Now.
He wasn’t ready. He had other plans. And in His plan he was going to purpose his biggest miracle yet. He was going to redeem the impossible. And in doing this next miracle He was going to cast vision for a power that no one had ever seen. This power was greater even than the grip of death. But for Martha and Mary, Jesus timing just seemed off.
Then Lazarus died. And in the days thereafter, Mary and Martha mourned. And there must have been sleepless nights. And they must have wondered “where was Jesus when we needed him most?” Jesus seemed absent. And they missed their brother so much.
Jesus told his disciples let’s go back to Judea. After returning, he comforted Mary and Martha. He wept. He then proceeded to the tomb. He asked that the stone be rolled away. And in a loud voice he instructed “Lazarus, come out!”
Another example of his power on display. Another example where He redeemed the broken into something very much alive.
Reflections
Two truths stand out to me.
First, do you ever wonder why Jesus wept? He knew that within a few hours that Lazarus was going to be unwinding the grave clothes. He knew the joy that was going to erupt across the city. He knew how ecstatically happy Mary and Martha were going to be. He knew this was going to be the biggest miracle yet in his ministry. And he knew that many would come to faith given this miracle. He knew that all was going to be good in the end. Very very good. And despite this all…he wept.
Even though Jesus knows in the end it will be good and understands the redemptive miracle that will play out, he is present in the moment. He isn’t dismissive or giddy for yet another awe-inspiring miracle that is right around the corner. And Jesus fully shares in our heartache and pain.
Second, his timing can often look different than ours. Martha and Mary wanted another healing from an ailment. His plan was bigger. He wanted to show people that his power was greater than the grip of death. And that plan required more time. It required patience. And even if the moment looks confusing and that time is running out…it really hasn’t. He has got this.
Lord, thank you that you are a God that shares our hurts and pain. Even though you know that you are working out a story that has a very good ending. Thank you for being present. Also, help us to place our hope and faith in your timing. Even when it doesn’t line up to ours. Help us to remember that no one takes greater pleasure than creating redemptive stories than you. You are good. Amen.
What if we really understood the goodness of God and the pleasure he derives from birthing hope and purpose and life from ashes?
What if... 