John 11:1-16

Jesus often stayed with Mary and Martha when he came to Jerusalem for the feasts.  He was well acquainted with them and they were his dear friends.  Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus became very sick.  So they sent a message to Jesus saying about Lazarus “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”  We read Jesus’ response in verses 4-5 , But when Jesus heard about it he said “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death.  No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”  So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed were he was for the next two days.  Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” 

By the time Jesus reached Mary and Martha, Lazarus had been dead for four days.  Whenever I read this passage I immediately think about Jesus delay and all that Mary and Martha went through while they waited for Jesus to arrive.  We read later in the chapter that when Jesus did arrive both Martha and Mary responded “Lord, if only you would have been here, my brother would not have died.” (verses 21 & 32). Those words imply that both Mary and Martha were deeply disappointed that Jesus wasn’t there in time to heal their brother.

In my own life, I’ve gone through physical and relational trials of a much smaller nature in which I’ve cried out to God for help.  Some of them include having intense back and muscle pain for several years, finding out my Grandson had Tourette’s syndrome, and experiencing significant difficulties in my marriage.  There were season’s in each of these where it seemed God must not have heard my prayer.  He wasn’t “fixing” my problem.  And in each of these situations, I succumbed to fear in the process.  The kind of fear that is compulsive and tormenting.  The enemy always lurks during these times.  He is no gentleman, he attacks us when we’re weakest.  I have no doubt that Mary and Martha faced the enemy’s fear tactics while they were waiting for Jesus to arrive and heal their brother. If we entertain the enemy’s bait, we remain in our fear and torment.  When we resist him he flees.  And light is brought into our darkness. 

The light reveals to us that God’s waiting room is fertile ground for growing our trust in God.  It assures us that God’s waiting room is the exact place where God turns our mess into his message…to bring him glory.  I don’t know about you, but these are the times I realize just how much I need God, and I realize things of this earth aren’t important…it’s things of eternity that really matter. 

While Mary and Martha were in God’s waiting room Jesus wasn’t present with them.  Because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, God is with us while we’re in his waiting room.  He speaks to us and reveals parts of himself that we’ve never known or experienced before.  I believe while we’re waiting for our physical miracle… a spiritual miracle is birthed inside us.  As I look back on my life, it’s during these times I’ve been most intimate with God and developed a deeper trust in him. 

In the end, Mary and Martha got to witness Jesus biggest miracle he had ever done.  That’s not always the case after being in God’s waiting room.  Sometimes the physical doesn’t get better.  In my case, my back and muscles improved through the help of a nutritionist.   My marriage relationship healed as I healed from my own childhood wounds. My Grandson still has Tourettes Syndrome.  And my Grandson’s response to his Tourette’s Syndrome has taught me much about afflictions that are meant for God’s glory.  My Grandson’s heard Nic Vujicic, a man born with no arms or legs, speak at his church.  Nic has learned to play football, swim and even surf.  He has not let his disability stop him from living a full life.  He uses his humor and faith to inspire people and bring God glory.  After hearing Nic speak, my Grandson said, “I’m different like Nic.  I believe God is going to use my differences to give me compassion for others so I can help them know Jesus.”  My Grandson taught me that difficulties can be turned into gifts if we use them to bring God glory. 

I’d like to conclude with a quote and a prayer.  “Never waste your pain.”  Dear Lord,  during my waiting times, may I experience parts of you I’ve never experienced before.  May my faith become bigger and stronger than my fears.  Let me trust you Lord while I wait, with certainty that you are with me and you’re enough for me whatever the outcome.  May I take hold of the opportunity in my pain to bring you glory and magnify your name.  In Jesus name Amen.