“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When He had heard therefore that Lazarus was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was.”
(Jn 11:5-6) Bethany was where Lazarus and his sisters lived. The sisters sent a messenger to inform Jesus that Lazarus was gravely ill, but when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He deliberately delayed going to Bethany for two days.
By the time Jesus arrived in the little town, Lazarus was dead. He was now four days in a tomb. Four days of decay in that Judean climate.
But Jesus resurrected the decaying Lazarus to a healthy life. He took the stink of death away.
So why did Jesus delay in answering Martha and Mary’s prayer for their brother? Jesus said it was “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (v4). A resurrection miracle was a “blow your mind” kind of miracle, not just some healing miracle. Lazarus’ resurrection brought such glory to the Son of God that many in Bethany “believed on Him” (v45). The Lazarus family got a resurrection; the town got salvation.
Just because Jesus delays in answering your prayers doesn’t mean He doesn’t love you. He may delay your prayer request for a better moment, when the time is perfect whereby He receives the glory and you get a miracle that blows your mind. Our lives, our dilemmas, are all for God’s glory and our good. Let Him use us to bear much fruit for Him.
