Finding Faith in the Waiting: Lessons from Lazarus (Part 1) [Friday Devotionals with Terra] – Episode 450

Have you ever felt like you were praying and not getting an answer? Or that instead of things getting better after you prayed – that things got worse? 

If so, you’re not alone and I think that’s how Martha and Mary felt in John 11. I’m reading from the ESV. 

John 11: 1-7, 11-15: 

11 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus[a] was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 

Let’s fast forward to verse 11…

11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 

Let’s unpack this story a little. 

So at this point in history – Jesus has healed people from diseases, made the deaf hear, the blind see, cast out demons, he’s walked on water, calmed storms, fed thousands of people by multiplying bread and fish, and he’s even raised the dead!

Mary and Martha had heard the stories – they had likely seen some of these things happen. But now – it got really personal. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus and they wanted Jesus to come and heal their brother. 

When Martha and Mary sent word to tell Jesus that their brother was sick – Jesus heard their message and he actually responded immediately to the news. Vs 4 says that when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick – he said “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 

But we have to remember that Martha and Mary didn’t hear Jesus say this!  From Mary and Martha’s perspective – things didn’t get better – things got worse. 

Jesus even stayed 2 more days where he was. Jesus actually waited for Lazarus to die before he headed toward Mary and Martha.  

I can only imagine all of the things that Mary and Martha were going through. All of the emotions – the sadness of watching their brother’s illness take his life, the anger that Jesus didn’t show up when they asked Him to, the confusion, maybe even thoughts that Jesus didn’t really love them or that they must have not been important enough for Him to stop what He was doing and come to them. 

But I think it’s vitally important what John, the author of this book, reminds us of in Vs 5. 

Right after he quotes Jesus saying “This illness does not lead to death.” but would ultimately bring glory to God through it .. John specifically says in vs 5 “Now Jesus LOVED Martha and her sister and Lazarus. And then in vs 6 he says, “So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed 2 days longer in the place where he was… “

Gotta be honest – as I was reading I was like – WHATT!!!!!! Jesus makes a decision to stay 2 more days! 

It’s as if John knew that those reading his account of this story would be questioning whether or not Jesus truly loved Lazarus and Martha and Mary – so John took the time to reassure us that he really really did – to remind us that Jesus LOVED them – even though he waited to answer their request. 

You see – Just because we are going through a difficult situation in our lives – it doesn’t mean that it’s our fault, that we are to blame, or that we did something to bring it on. It doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us. 

Jesus was going to demonstrate His power, His love, His goodness, and that He was sent by God – through raising Lazarus from the dead. 

This isn’t the only time Jesus did something like this. 

In John 9 – Jesus saw a man that had been blind since birth & the disciples asked him who had sinned to cause the blindness – Jesus said that neither this man nor his parents had sinned but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 

We tend to think that God must not love us if He allows us to go through really tough situations. 

The fact is – we live in a broken, sinful, fallen world. Because of this there’s sickness, disease, heartache, even death. 

This is the very reason why Jesus came is because GOD DOES LOVE US! 

Even in the middle of what seems like silence – even when the situation we’re in seems like it’s getting worse not better. I believe God wants to remind us that He loves us – Just like He loved Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 

I know a bit about this in my own life. 

My husband, Lance, and I have been worship leaders, singers, songwriters for a very long time. We did it individually before we met each other and have been doing it together ever since. 

In 2000, a few months before Lance and I met – he and his brother were both diagnosed with an eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP for short). RP is a degenerative eye disease and is one of the leading causes of blindness. While there are some things that might be considered “typical” RP – one thing I’ve learned is that each person’s eyes handle the disease differently. 

Over 20 years ago, I had this picture come into my mind – that I really believe was from God. 

In my mind, I saw Lance sitting on a platform leading thousands of people – and when he walked onto that stage – he was blind. But while he was on that platform – God miraculously healed Lance’s eyes. And Lance could see when he walked off. 

I’ve thought about that so many times since. 

Throughout the last almost 25 years now, Lance’s eyes have had seasons where there wasn’t much decline and then there were times that we could tell he was losing sight more quickly. 

It dawned on me about 10-15 years ago – It was like this AHA moment -during one of those difficult seasons when Lance’s eyesight was getting worse… and I’m just wondering Why God would allow this to be happening … 

It was like I suddenly had that picture in my mind and realized that if God was going to heal Lance’s eyes one day and restore his sight – that meant he was going to lose it first. In order for Lance to walk off that stage with eyesight restored – it was going to mean walking onto that platform with eyesight lost. 

Things were going to get worse – before we would see them get better. 

It’s been over 20 years now since I first saw that picture in my mind. And I’ll be honest with you, a few years ago when things just seemed to get really difficult, God and I had a heart to heart – I was like – what if you don’t heal Lance the way that I think you’re to…  I told Him that I was going to trust Him to walk through this with us – no matter if He chooses to heal Lance this side of heaven or not. 

I’m going to trust Him. 

You see friend, this life is filled with difficult things – and just like Mary and Martha, you and I have the opportunity to trust that Jesus LOVES us and has our good and His glory at the center of every decision he makes. 

And if we’ll trust Him – God will use our lives as an example to others of His goodness. In verse 11 – Jesus tells his disciples “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 

They didn’t understand what Jesus meant – they thought Lazarus was just sleeping so in vs 14, Jesus plainly tells them “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I’m glad that I wasn’t there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 

Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead 

1. and the disciples were going to see it 
2. and Mary and Martha were going to see it 
3. and everyone who was there at the tomb – they were going to see it too! 

And as a result they were going to believe that Jesus was who He said He was. 

Psalm 77:14 says “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”

Jesus was about to display His power.

Just like the story of Lazarus – God wants to use my story and your story to put His love, His power, and His goodness, on display to everyone who is watching. 

So take heart my friend – if you’re going through a tough season – God’s not mad at you, He loves you deeply, even if it seems like it’s getting worse instead of better – He is trustworthy.  

I hope this has been an encouragement to you today. I can’t wait to unpack more of this story with you next Friday!

Don’t forget – if you’re wanting to talk business – you can go to helpmecoachnow.com and set up a time to chat about what you’re needing. And if you have a specific prayer need or want to talk about your relationship with Christ – feel free to shoot me a text at 865-309-4737. 

Looking forward to connecting with you on the next episode of the She’s Making an Impact Podcast!