Lazarus

He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth!
(John 11:43 NKJV)

Mary and Martha were devastated by the loss of Lazarus. They knew Jesus could have healed their brother. They had seen Him heal the sick and open the eyes of the blind. But in their view, He had not arrived in time to do any good. Their brother was dead. They had sent word to Jesus that His friend was sick, but instead of coming right away, Jesus tarried.

Jesus had a good reason for this given the belief of the time. The Jews believed the soul hovered around the body for three days hoping to re-enter it. On the fourth day, after noticing the body was decomposing, the soul would depart. Only then was death considered irreversible.1 Lazarus had already been dead four days when Jesus arrived. At this point, the Jews present at the grave site would know that only a divine miracle could raise Lazarus to life.

What Mary and Martha were viewing as a failure, God was seeing as the chance for a greater purpose and a greater miracle. The raising of Lazarus would vividly demonstrate His power over death to all those present.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25 NKJV).

Sometimes when we are walking in a sea of pain and confusion, we do not understand what God is doing. But often He has a far better plan. We are seeing one frame in the film of our life. He sees the full picture. Trust Him even when the circumstances look dark and defeat seems inevitable. Don’t ask why? Ask what? What, God, do you want me to learn through this experience? What do you want me to do in this experience? The goal in every situation is that Jesus and the Father be glorified. Remember, God’s plan for you comes from His heart of love. He will always do what is best for you.

Keep walking, keep believing. For all you know, you could be minutes away from your resurrection.