When Jesus Seems to Tarry

Today’s portion of Lazarus’ story comes with a surprising twist. Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that their brother is quite ill. In their word to Jesus the sisters even remind Jesus that Lazarus is “the one You love.” Clearly, the sisters hope, even assume that Jesus will come. Jesus, however, doesn’t go into rapid response mode, drop what He’s doing, and come to the rescue; rather, He stays right where He is for two more days. Jesus doesn’t show up in their greatest moment of need. While we have the advantage of knowing that Jesus does show up – eventually, His timing reminds us that Jesus never guarantees that things will work out when and as we desire. Where is Jesus? Why doesn’t He come sooner? In our text, Mary and Martha’s action reveals how we are to respond when Jesus seems to tarry; in an expression of faith, they send word to Jesus. In our own circumstances and seasons of “waiting on Jesus,” we too live by faith. Such waiting (i.e., the in-between time) plays an essential part in transformation. By faith in Jesus and His perfect timing and ways, we relinquish control, surrender our wills, and lay down unholy entitlements. Even when we don’t have answers, we can hold on to the things that we know ARE true: we are deeply loved by Jesus & He is in perfect control. And the times when God seems most absent can be the times when we get to know Him best…moments when God births new hope in us, a hope in who He is, not a hope in who we want Him to be. And we have His promise in Philippians 1:6 that “He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”