John 11:5 says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” How does this jive with the fact that when Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick and dying, he intentionally do not arrive until after Lazarus has been dead for four days? What could have been a rescue operation and physical healing turns out to be a recovery operation with a corpse. Martha asks Jesus, upon his arrival, why did you not come quicker? She knew that Jesus loved her brother and could have healed him. Friends, many of us like Martha get confused between the urgent and the important. Is it possible that in our lives, as was true in the resurrection of Lazarus, God is more interested in our ultimate and eternal welfare instead of meeting immediate and temporal needs? A delay in Jesus coming to “help us” might be the most dramatic way He can show us that He loves us. Jesus indeed did help Lazarus by raising him from the dead. Here is the PUNCHLINE: When delays occur in your life, it means that God has a better time and better way to meet you. Lazarus’ story was beyond sickness, death and resurrection. Jesus desired to show His ultimate love for Lazarus and bring His father in Heaven glory through this resurrection. Friends, rest assured that God loves you and will demonstrate that love at the right time and in the right way. Stay close to Jesus. – Pastor Bryce
