Like Mary and Martha only believe

John 11:40

Jesus told Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God.”

Mary and Martha were hurting and grieving after their brother Lazarus had died. The sisters sent word to Jesus, requesting his presence while their brother was sick, but still alive. Lazarus, was no doubt very good friend of Jesus, he was probably in the prime of his manhood, but became sick and eventually died. Jesus received the message, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Jesus response was, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it (John 11:4).”

Jesus knowing Lazarus was sick, stayed where he was two more days! He did not seem to be in a hurry to get to Lazarus. Jesus was not in a panic to get to Lazarus before he died so his word might be true. Jesus then journeyed to Judea, to minister to Lazarus and his sisters, although it was dangerous to go there. Jesus first demonstrate faith in going back to a place where the Jews wanted to kill him. He also knew that Lazarus was dead.

why would Jesus wait two days later, knowing very well Lazarus would be dead by the time he got there. In fact Jesus did not even need to go to Lazarus he only needed to speak the word and Lazarus would be healed or raised up.

Now, Jesus did not operate on worldly concepts and principles. He was led by his Father in heaven. In his mind, what is consider as death to humans is a state sleeping to him. His plan was to deliberately demonstrate the power of God. As He told Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” This restoration of Lazarus was done so that the people would know that Jesus was sent by God and they would also see the glory of God. The effect was so powerful that those who saw Lazarus raised from  the dead knew that this was no ordinary man, because Lazarus was so dead he stunk, this undeniable action caused the people to place their trust in Jesus Christ.

There are some things we can learn from this:

Jesus loving Lazarus and being close to his family did not exempt them from earthly troubles affecting them, even the inevitable death. Sometimes we have this myth, that as long as we are walking in right before God we should not have any troubles, or we should live above troubles, but this is far from the truth. How will God demonstrate his glory in our situation if there is nothing to work with. The presence of trouble is not the absence of God’s presence but the opportunity for God’s majestic power to work on our behalf. You are not the only who wants likes a show off, God does too. He actually loves it better than we do. He loves to show himself strong on the behalf of the righteous.

Advancing the Kingdom of God in the earth!