A few weeks ago, I shared a few thoughts with you from the events recorded in John chapter 11 about the healing of Lazarus. I would like to offer a few more insights from that story that I believe are relevant for you and me today.
To say Jesus and Lazarus were close is an understatement. The message that Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters, sent to Jesus said this…
“Lord, the one you love is very sick.” (v.3)
Notice Mary and Martha did not say…”Jesus, come at once and heal Lazarus or he might die.” They simply sent a message to Jesus saying he was very sick and assumed Jesus would drop everything to come at once.
Well, that didn’t happen. When Jesus received the message, His response was
“Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death.
No, it is for the glory of God. I, the Son of God,
will receive glory from this.” (v.4)
Days later Jesus told His disciples that they were headed to Judea, specifically to the town of Bethany where Lazarus had been placed in a tomb. The disciples thought that was a bad idea because just a few days earlier the Jewish leaders in Judea had tried to kill Jesus.
So, it’s safe to say that the leaders of Judea were not going to throw a welcome-back party and give Jesus the keys to the city. The disciples were clearly afraid and asked Jesus….
“Are you going there again?” (v.8)
Jesus made it very clear to His disciples that they were in fact returning to Judea. Yes, it was dangerous for Jesus to return, but there was a big-picture plan that was directly connected to the reason Jesus walked the earth. Jesus gave them a little hint by saying….
“Lazarus is dead. And for your sake, I am glad I wasn’t there because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me.
Come, let’s go see him.” (vs.14-15)
The timing of Jesus’ arrival in Bethany is interesting as He arrives on the fourth day of Lazarus’ death. And when Jesus and His disciples arrive, quite a crowd has gathered. Lazarus’ family was very popular in the small town of Bethany and Lazarus was highly regarded and esteemed in their village. His funeral was a major event, so the crowd was quite large.
The extent and passion of mourning reflected the popularity of Lazarus. In New Testament Palestine, communities were strongly connected. Many Jewish friends and relatives have come to Bethany to comfort Mary and Martha. Jesus knew the death of Lazarus would draw a crowd and He knew there would be those in the crowd whose lives would be changed when Jesus calls Lazarus from the dead.
Some people in the crowd saw the tears in the eyes of Jesus as He approached the tomb and said…
“See how much he loved him. But some said, This man healed a blind man. Why couldn’t he keep Lazarus from dying?” (vs.36-37)
Earlier in the story, when Mary saw Jesus she fell down at his feet and said…
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.” (vs32)
The scripture says Jesus was deeply troubled and asked where they buried Lazarus. He then gave instructions to roll the stone that sealed the tomb to the side. Martha immediately spoke up and said…
“Lord, by now the smell will be terrible
because he has been dead for four days.” (vs.39)
Jesus responded by saying….
“Didn’t I tell you that you will see
God’s glory if you believe?” (vs 40)
Jesus then shouted,
“Lazarus come out” (vs.43)
And Lazarus came out…fully alive!
Here are two truths the story communicates to us today….
1. God’s plan is bigger than my pain.
Mary and Martha were distraught and confused over Jesus’ lack of expediency in responding to their message. This was “the one He loved”, Lazarus. What in the world was Jesus so caught up in that He forgot about His closest friend and his urgent need? Did Jesus not receive the message? Did He forget? What could have distracted Jesus from our dire circumstances? Where are you, Jesus? Do you not care about my pain and grief? Are you ignoring me?
Maybe you are in the middle of a difficult circumstance that has caused pain, discouragement, or grief, and you are asking some of the same questions. If so, please know you are not alone. God told us that there will be tough times in this life but we can have peace in knowing that He is still in charge….
“I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
God has a plan and a purpose for you. And His plan is bigger than my pain.
2. God’s timing is always perfect and purposeful.
When Jesus is working out His purposes in our lives, timing is always a key element. It’s never random, it’s always intentional. Let’s look at the timing of Jesus’ arrival in Bethany. He shows up four days after Lazarus dies. Why is that worth noting? You see, in that day and age, there was a well-known Jewish belief that the soul of a deceased person would remain in the vicinity of the dead body for three days waiting for an opportunity to reenter the body.
However, after three days, decomposition would set in and the soul would have no choice but to depart….again, that was a Jewish belief at that time. Jesus waited until the fourth day of Lazarus’ death so everyone would know without any doubt, that Lazarus was truly dead. He knew all along what He was doing. The plan and the timing had already been worked out. The problem with my timing and God’s timing is this….they never match. I mean NEVER.
I can’t tell you how many times I have sat in absolute dismay as God has ignored my plan and the timing that I know to be best. Well, thank God in His infinite wisdom and gracious love that He has overlooked my “well thought out” plans and timing. In those moments I interpreted God’s delay as neglect or rejection, He was preparing me, protecting me, or directing me.
“My thoughts are completely different from yours”, says the Lord, “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
We may not understand what God is doing in our lives at times, but we know this…
He loves us in a way we can’t comprehend and has good things in store for us….
“For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
My prayer for you this week is that you will rest in the peace and hope that only God can give as He works out His plan and purpose in each of us.
About Steve
Steve Adams is the Executive Director for INCM. He has served as a pastor in the local church for over 33 years. For 13 years, Steve served as the Executive Pastor of Children’s Ministry at Saddleback Church providing leadership to dynamic teams of staff and volunteers who minister to kids and families across California, Germany, the Philippines, Argentina, and China. He was also a member of the Saddleback Global Executive Team which gives leadership to all Saddleback Campuses across the world. Steve is married to his high school sweetheart Stephanie and has two sons, Tyler and Matthew, two daughter-in-law’s, Jessie and Faith, and two grandchildren Avery and Dakota.
