John 11: 1-44
“17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days”.
The story of Lazarus in the book of John is always and intriguing one. The account of Lazarus being raised from death is really profound; and a testimony to the fact that there is no impossibility with God. For sure there are no boundaries to God’s abilities and power!
Reading the whole of this account, I get the sense that Jesus’ delay (verses 4-11) was all intentional so that God’s glory will be revealed. The finality in Martha’s statement “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”, is one we can all relate to when faced with circumstances beyond human capabilities. By all logical reasoning and human thinking – Jesus was late! Nothing else could be done because Lazarus was already dead; and not just dead but have been buried four days!
But Jesus knew what HE would do, for HE had said, “our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up”. Jesus was confident that the outcome of this situation will glorify God. The reality of Lazarus being raised from death after four days demonstrates the fact that our God is not bound by the concept of time! The limiting nature of time is only common to humans; not our God.
One perspective we need to understand is that there is no concept of time when it comes to God. HE does not count time the way we do; in fact, time does not exist with HIM. Didn’t the bible say that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (1 Peter 3:8)?
Often in life we are faced with circumstances that revolve around time, or are dependent on time measures, such as days, months, years, duration, period, etc. Trapped in the mentality of time …., we get desperate or anxious when our prayers remain unanswered, and there is no solution in sight. We worry as time flies by, and the reality of a late intervention stirs us at the face. Each fleeting moment of our wait becomes unbearable as we painfully fight the consequences of a late outcome in such a situation.
At such times, let us keep in mind that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead when it was four days late! God created time, and has existed even before the beginning of time. The truth remains that God is able to enforce our expected outcome even when it seems late. Whatever we are expecting to happen (as a pleasant answer to our prayer; or a perfect solution to the problem) is still possible, irrespective of time, as long as God is in control.
Let me end with this lyrics of a favorite song:
You may be fighting a battle of fear
You’ve called to the Lord, I need you now, but HE has not appeared
Friends, don’t be discouraged, b’cos HE is still the same
He’ll soon appear, He’ll roll out the stone, and call out your name.
When HE’s four days late, and all hope is gone
Lord we don’t understand why you’ve waited so long
But HIS way is God’s way, not yours or mine
And isn’t it great, when He’s four days late
He’s still on time!