John :11 21, 23.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died.
But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Jesus saith unto her, your brother shall rise again.
In the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John, we encounter a poignant narrative involving a man named Lazarus, who was gravely ill and a dear friend of Jesus. His sisters sent a message to Jesus, stating, "Lord, the one you love is sick." Jesus responded by indicating that this illness would not result in death but was intended to glorify God. This message offered a glimmer of hope to Lazarus's sisters, who were aware of Jesus's miraculous healing abilities. However, Jesus chose to remain where he was for an additional two days, during which time Lazarus passed away. The sisters' hope soon turned to despair. Upon arriving at Lazarus's home, Jesus discovered that Lazarus had been dead for four days, leading many to believe that all hope was lost. Yet, Jesus always possesses a solution. When Martha, one of Lazarus's sisters, learned of Jesus's arrival, she went to meet him and expressed her sorrow, saying, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." In her eyes, Jesus had delayed too long to save her brother. She had forgotten his earlier assurance that the illness was not for death but for God's glory. Now, faced with the reality of Lazarus's death, Martha felt that Jesus could no longer help. Jesus reassured her, stating, "Your brother will rise again." Martha responded, acknowledging that he would rise at the resurrection on the last day. She then informed her sister Mary of Jesus's presence. Mary echoed Martha's sentiment, lamenting, "If you had been here, my brother would not be dead." Both sisters perceived Jesus's arrival as too late to alter the outcome. Seeing their grief, Jesus inquired about the location of Lazarus's tomb. The mourners led him to the site where Jesus commanded, "Remove the stone." Martha hesitated, expressing concern about the odor, as Lazarus had been dead for four days. This hesitation suggested a belief that the situation was beyond remedy, reinforcing the notion that Jesus had arrived too late. In response, Jesus reminded her, ""Did I not tell you that if you believed you will see the glory of God? They took away the stone. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! And Lazarus comes alive from the tomb. What a remarkable miracle!
Lazarus's sisters believed that Jesus had arrived too late to heal their brother. They had hoped for his healing, but upon his death, they thought all hope was lost. However, Jesus arrived and performed an even greater miracle. They anticipated healing, yet Jesus provided resurrection. How long do you expect Jesus to respond in your situation? Perhaps you feel that Jesus is delayed, just as Lazarus's sisters did. It is important to remember that God is never late. He is not only the Almighty but also the sovereign Lord who operates within His own timing. He governs all circumstances. Jesus instructed them to remove the stone from Lazarus's tomb, which represented an obstacle and a sign that all was finished. What stone exists in your life that signifies the end? Are you willing to seek God's strength to remove that stone? He loves you and can assist you. God can reveal His glory in your life. He is never late. If you believe, you will witness the glory of God. Place your trust in Him, and you will see His magnificence.
Pierre F. Romelus
Source Divine Ministries
Email: info@sourcedivine.org
Commentaires