Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.   John 11:6        

The disciples were confused. They knew how much Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters so when he told them of Lazarus’s death and that they were not yet returning to Bethany they thought he must have been wrong.

But Jesus wished to show them His power and their need to trust. By the time they reached the home of Martha and Mary, Lazarus had been in the tomb 4 days. Well known verse 35 simply reads “Jesus wept”.  I wonder, did He weep because Lazarus was dead? He knew Lazarus was dead (see verse 14) so why was He weeping? He had just told Martha that her brother would resurrect and asked if she believed. She answered yes, but she did not really understand what He was saying. His heart was breaking from the lack of faith those closest to Him were experiencing. The Savior was right there in their midst, they admitted He was the Savior and still they did not understand.

I find myself in that same state of confusion sometimes. I know He is the Savior. I know He is Lord and can do all things. Yet, I find myself saying “yes Lord” and then moving ahead as if He were not here. Do you do that?

Lord give me patience and give it to me now! God may show Himself early but He will always show Himself on time. Yes, ON time. We find in verse 45 ”..many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him”. They saw and they believed. That is why Jesus delayed, “so that God’s Son may be glorified” (verse 4).

Delay does not mean “no”.

When I step back and allow God to work and I seek to follow His timeframe and not my own, I can see God’s Son being glorified and rejoice in His good works.

You can read the entire story in John 11. Click here