John 11

One of the scriptures in church this week was from John 11, when Jesus' friend Lazarus dies. As I was up front reading the scripture to the congregation, the Lord began to make parts of it stick out that I had never really meditated on before. I usually like to get to the part where it says that Jesus wept, because I hold this fact very dear and near to my heart. In my haste to get there I never really meditated on the circumstance of it all. The scripture clearly states that Jesus dearly loved Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus. So what does He do when he hears Lazarus is sick? Does he rush to his side to heal him? No. He waits. He does nothing for two whole days. I can just imagine what my response would have been if I were Mary and Martha. "You love me and my brother, and he is sick, and you're not going to come and heal him? Are you for real?" I, in my miniscule self-centered thinking would be so hurt. Which brings up another point I have a habit of forgetting. It isn't all about me. Jesus states that Lazarus' sickness, which must have brought on heartache, worry and sleepless nights for Martha and Mary, was for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it. In the end waiting those two days allowed God to show His glory through His son, and that could only happen if Mary and Martha went through the heartache they did, which He knew they could endure.

God's ways are not our ways, that's for sure. And looking at the outcome of John 11 I'm very thankful they aren't.