Day 14 - Jesus Delayed

John 11. Lazarus is gravely ill. Word reaches Jesus of this predicament. Mary and her sister Martha are griefstricken and worried. Jesus' response? In verse 6, Jesus delayed in going to Lazarus.

We want Jesus to answer our prayers immediately. Like ordering a meal at a fast food restaurant, we want immediate gratification. No waiting. And when our loved ones are ill, or when we have a concern, we want instant and immediate answered prayers. We are griefstricken as Mary and Martha were...or we are sick with worry.

Verse 17: "So when Jesus [finally!] came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days." Many of the Jews had joined the women to comfort them because their beloved Lazarus was dead.

Martha's response to Jesus? "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died! But even now, I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus says to Martha in, in verse 23, "Your brother will rise again."

It just so happens that Jesus performed a miracle...After stating that "I am the resurrection and the life," and "He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live, " and "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Jesus had the stone to Lazarus' tomb rolled away. Jesus was groaning and moaning as He lifted up His eyes and prayed to God.

"Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me...but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

"Lazarus, come forth." And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.

___________________________

We know that God chooses to heal...or not to heal. Our loved ones perish, despite our cries and prayers. Our prayer for a child goes unaswered...our prayer for a better job never comes...our prayer for the salvation of our spouse seems futile...

But know that it is ALWAYS God's prerogative to delay...or not. And because of Jesus' own words, we know that God hears our pleas for His help.

It's not always easy to understand why He heals some...and not others...why He answers one person's prayer and not another's.

But one thing is certain: If we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, He who believes in Jesus, though he may die, shall live [in heaven].

___________________________________