I’ve often wondered what she thought when help didn’t come.
Not so much what she was feeling, in some way, I could
imagine what she might have been feeling. Having also lost a brother, I know the
searing pain of loss, the grief that weighs you down and threatens to take your
breath.
But what was she thinking? When the only One who could help
her, who could save her brother chose not to come, what thoughts flittered
through her mind?
Here on the other side of history, we know how it all worked
out. We know that Jesus showed up four days 'late', wept with the bereaved
sisters, and then miraculously raised Lazarus from the dead. It was a bold, ‘remove-all-doubt’,
type of move that led many to believe in His name.
But there in the middle of her sorrow, did she (Martha) begin
to doubt His love? Did she question His motives? Did she plant seedling
resentment in her heart? Did her faith waver?
Who would blame her if it did?
What about you? Are you stuck in the messy middle wondering
about the motives of God? Trying to understand why He doesn’t show up? Refereeing
the struggle between your heart and your head? Fighting to believe beyond the
shadow of a doubt that God knows best?
Well, if that is you, if you’ve ever been there or know
someone who has, I’m inviting you to walk with me as we take a closer look at
Jesus’s motives and Martha’s resolve in the events surrounding the raising of
Lazarus from the dead.
‘Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.’ ~ John 11:5-6 ESV ~ (emphasis mine)
Did you get that? Jesus chose not to go when he was called because
of his love for them. Do you struggle to accept that? He knew the pain they
would experience, yet he chose to stay where He was. You see, Jesus knew the
life-changing, life-affirming impact His planned deliverance would have, so He
loved them enough to hold out for them (and the witnesses) to experience this better thing.
And what is this better thing?
Let’s look at Jesus’s words-
“This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ~ John 11: 4b ~
“Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” ~ John 11: 14-15 ~
That you may believe in the Son of God.
In the verses following, the word ‘believe’ is used six
times. It is that important. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent by
God is the only thing. It changes everything.
That we may believe in His name was important to Jesus then
and it is just as important to Him now. He knows that this is the only way for
us to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ (John 10:10)
Oh, I pray for faith like Martha’s. She knew who Jesus was and she believed that nothing was impossible for him. Even through tears, even surrounded by the stench of death, she knew her God. She knew that both immediate deliverance and eternal deliverance were within His power and she trusted Him to know which was best. Inspiringly, despite her painful circumstances, she remained confident of His love.
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” ~ John 11:21-22 ~ (emphasis mine)
She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” ~ John 11:27 ~ (emphasis mine)
What do you believe? Right here, in the midst of all the
uncertainty, what do you know for certain? Is your head telling you one thing
and your heart another? Do you run to meet Jesus expecting a miracle? Or have
you given up in believing that miracles are possible?
My friend, I know 2020 has been crazy. Life for many of us
has been turned upside down and we may feel confused, overwhelmed, afraid, or
in the very least, unsettled. Like Martha, we may be wondering where God is in
the chaos. But please remember this, He is never late; He knows the pain and/or
confusion we may be experiencing yet because of His great love for us, He is
choosing the better thing.
‘And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’ ~ Romans 8:28 ~
We can trust His heart. He will deliver us. In His way. In
His timing. Miracles are still possible. And through it all, God will be
glorified. May we have faith strong enough to believe that.
Won’t you pray with me?
Dear Loving Father,
I am amazed at you and your great love for us. Thank you for the hope and peace found in your word. Thank you for loving us enough to take us through the painful wait to the glory on the other side. Help us to believe in your goodness, to trust in your loving heart, and to run to you in great expectation of your power.
In Jesus's Name we pray. Amen.
