5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.7 Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
Taking the contrary route to show His love, Jesus waits two days before going to the side of His sick friend Lazarus. His deferral in coming to the family was a test that would bring forth in them both praise and honor. I am confident Mary and Martha were unclear of Jesus’ motives at the time. All they knew was that their brother lay dying and the One that could save him did not show up. His delay did not lie in the fact that His love was in any way wanting rather He waited until Lazarus was dead and buried so that God’s greater purposes could be fulfilled. How easy it would have been for Him to have come and healed him. Anything less than infinite love would have instantly rushed to their beloved to bring relief and end grief - having the sweet blessing of wiping away the tears and causing the sorrow and pain to flee. Yet we see in our verses for today that Divine Love permitted pain to occur. This allowance enabled our Lord to do more for them and others than they could have possibly conceived. God has gracious intentions even in His delays. The pain of a few is often permitted for the benefit of the whole not to mention the great benefit that comes to the one through whom the pain comes. A cursory read of the saints of the past prove this out time and time again.
“The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Christ will arise in favour of His people when the time to favour them, indeed, the set time has come; and the worst time is commonly the set time. In the depths of affliction, let this therefore keep us out of the depths of despair, that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” Matthew Henry
Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China lived a life of looking to the Lord to meet his needs knowing full well that his extremity was God’s greatest opportunity. When told they were down to the last bag of rice for the hospital under his charge, his reply gives us a stellar example of confident, quiet faith under fire:
“Then,” replied Hudson Taylor, “The Lord’s time for helping us must be close at hand.” Hudson Taylor
God’s dealings with His children are wisely and lovingly ordered and are always working for their good and His glory – never one surpassing the other. Our times are in His hands – God reigns, not chance nor circumstance nor happenstance – hallelujah for that! We see but such a poor reflection and with our limited vision we are often called to positions we would naturally shrink from and not choose because at present we cannot see its usefulness or value or wisdom. This calls for great patience and faith on our part. We owe a great debt to pain and sufferings as they are plantings in our lives to be watered with our tears of faith and warmed by the Son of Righteousness so that out of them ultimately will grow the great Christian virtues as we patiently wait. I am reminded of James’ words:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Peter sheds a bit more light on the subject in the following passage:
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)
Lastly, I am reminded of Paul’s encouraging words in Ephesians:
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21 (NIV)
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalms 84:11-12 (NIV)