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Msg #573           Wednesday, Sept 09, 2009

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So, when He heard that he was sick,

He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

(John 11:6)

God’s ways are not always our ways…but they are good…good for us.

Lazarus, Jesus friend and follower was sick…deathly sick.   Lazurus’ sisters, Mary and Martha,  sent word to Jesus.  Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” (John 11:3)

Jesus got them message, understood the message…and then stayed where He was for two more days.   That is exactly what it tells us in our text.   If we place ourselves in Mary and Martha’s shoes, we can imagine how easy it would be to be confused by the Lord’s behavior, to struggle, doubt and question.

Perhaps, that is exactly where you are today.   Perhaps there are issues in your life that are particularly pressing.  Maybe the issue is like this one, a sickness, or maybe it is a financial problem or a relationship problem or maybe something else.  Like Mary and Martha, you have prayed and laid the issue before the Lord.  Anxiously, you are waiting and longing to see God intervene.   Yet He does not seem to be responding quickly enough.  If you could see your situation with the same perspective we see the situation in John 11, how would it help?

First – understand clearly that Jesus loved Mary and Martha.  It tells us specifically that in the verse immediately before it tells us of Jesus’ delay.  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:5)

Jesus love for them was not lacking, it was full.   This is important, because when God does not respond to our situations as quickly as we expect or in the way we want, we can find ourselves beginning to doubt His love for us.  Christian, if you are His, know that His love for you is unwavering and full.  Today, He loves you with a love that defies your ability to even comprehend it. (Eph 3:18-19)

Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do.  As you read this whole passage, it is wonderfully clear that Jesus was orchestrating everything perfectly.  He knew what He would do and when He would do it.  His disciples would question the wisdom of His actions (v.8).   Mary and Martha would question His timing.  (v.21, 32).  Yet, as you take the whole passage in, there is no doubt that Jesus was perfectly orchestrating both the “what” and the “when” of this situation.  

Jesus was working something good in their hearts.   The outcome of this whole situation would be spiritual growth and impact.   What Jesus was doing was something good in their lives and good through their lives.  In a way, He is helping them to grow.  Imagine it like you are working out on one of those pieces of exercise equipment that have a cable attached to weights that can be adjusted.   It is almost as if Jesus walks up and says it is time to increase the weight that is being lifted and moves the pin to a greater weight.   Why?  For their good, to help and cause them to grow…and you know what…they did!  

I wonder if Jesus is orchestrating just such a situation in your life today.  I wonder if He is allowing events and issues to put you in a place that is calling you to grow.  Perhaps His work and timing are different than it has been in times past.  How easy it would be to doubt His care or plan.  Yet, the reality is that He is working good, calling you deeper with Him, calling you to grow spiritually. This I know, Christian, His love for you is not in doubt.  His plans and purposes are not confused in His mind.  Today…I call you to trust Him…and grow!

God’s ways are not always our ways…but they are good…good for us.

So, when He heard that he was sick,

He stayed two more days in the place where He was...

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe

you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:6, 40)

Jim

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