SPEED Part II

Father, Can You Move Any Slower?

Part II

Remember in John 11 when Lazarus was on his deathbed and his sisters, Mary and Martha, immediately sent word to Jesus, Lazarus’ BFF?  That was about S P E E D. The ladies were convinced timing was important; their timing. An urgent word to Jesus would surely result in His speedy arrival to heal their brother. His immediate intervention would spare Lazarus the inevitable.

Jesus’ response to their urgent request? Nope.  

“He said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. It has happened so that it will bring honor to God. And the Son of God will be honored by it also.’” John 11:4 (NLV)

Then, not only did Jesus skip the ladies’ request, He skipped town!

“Jesus dearly loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. However, after receiving this news, He waited two more days where He was. And then he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’” John 11: 5-7 (VOICE & NIV)

Jesus’ actions shook the ladies’ faith. 

In His absence, Lazarus did die! Their belief that a quick touch from Jesus would bring Lazarus back from the edge was turned on its head.

Are you in a season of your life where a prayer about a critical situation has gone unanswered? Where you’ve slipped past that deadline when God had just enough time to remedy the dilemma? Are you in the place where the whole thing evaporated into nothing - loss or defeat staring back at you now?  God hasn't shown up, has He?

But, think on this. Dial back to the moment before your "Lazarus" passed; when Almighty God assured you that the current frustrating or hopeless situation wasn’t the end of your situation? Stand on His word. 

Look at John 11: 4, again.

“Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death.’”

Jesus didn’t say Lazarus wouldn’t die. His subtext was that Lazarus’ death was part of an ongoing process leading to a miraculous, unbelievable, grand answer that would glorify God in an unimaginable way. 

So don’t give up like Lazarus’ sister, Mary, did in light of her devastating outcome.

"On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home."  John 11: 17, 20 (NIV)

This same Mary who was a “Believer;” who had curled up at Jesus’ feet one evening, to the consternation of Martha, her busy sister; who had washed those same feet with her perfumed hair. This same Mary gave up her hope in Jesus after her brother died and had been buried four days. 

But her disappointment makes sense, doesn't it? What was there left to believe for? Why not stay in the house mourning her loss - sad, isolated, disappointed and angry? Jesus had let her down.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out.” John 11: 40-44 (NIV)

Thanks to Martha coaxing her sister, Mary, out of the house; out of her depression, Mary got to see Jesus keep His word. A Resurrection!

Your loss is a part of God’s life renewing process. The loss will not end in death. Speed isn’t what you need. Just believe what, 

"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. 

Do you believe this, Martha?'"  John 11:25-26 (NLT)

DO YOU?

-Still Processing