Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. John 11:14
Why didn’t he come sooner?
Martha asked it.
Mary asked it.
Those watching asked it.
Jesus didn’t go right away when He heard the news that Lazarus was sick. He waited.
By the time He started to go to Jerusalem, He knew that Lazarus was already dead.
When He arrived, Martha said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
When Mary came out to meet Him, she said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
Those who were watching said, “Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?”
Yet Jesus was allowing a tragedy so that more of God’s power could be seen. He was providing an opportunity for their faith to be strengthened.
Jesus had a higher purpose than just the healing of Lazarus. His sights were set on their faith.
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe. John 11:15a
Sometimes, God allows the tragedy in our lives so that we can be in a position to see Him do something greater that will solidify our faith in Him.
The greater miracle is not the goal. Our faith in Jesus is the goal.
In this account, we find that, to God, our faith in Jesus is more important than our comfort. Our trust in Him as the resurrection and the life is worth more than deliverance from grief.
It is more important to God that we see Jesus as He is than that everything works out just like we want it to.
Lord, what answer to prayer are You withholding from me so that You can work in me a greater faith? What tragedy have You allowed in my life so that You can work something greater? What area of my faith in You are You using heartache to strengthen?
Help me to trust You when You wait.
What heartache is God allowing in your life so that you will be in a position to see Jesus as the resurrection and the life?