Delayed Blessings

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” John 11:5-7

Lazarus is extremely sick, about to die. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus, hoping that He would come and heal. Upon receiving this news, Jesus “stayed two more days” in the place where he was. He delayed.

Now, Christ knew the family well. It was Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume. She put her love for Christ on display in a of men, of Pharisees. They criticized while she wept and worshipped. Unabashed love for Jesus. To quiet the ridicule against Mary, Jesus commends her faith.

Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” Matthew 26:13

Jesus knew the family, loved the family, and delayed coming to Lazarus. Two days later, his emotions pour out when He arrives at the scene and witnesses the heartbreak.

Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.  And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

 Jesus wept.

 John 11:32-35

The rest of the story is pretty well known. We have songs, poems, and illustrations of Lazarus, having been wrapped like a mummy, walking out of that tomb. Jesus did the impossible. He blessed the family. He brought Lazarus back from the dead.

But, why the delay? At the beginning of the story, prior to the healing, Jesus answers the question.

 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4

The disciples didn’t get it. Jesus said it a bit more plainly.

Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” John 11:14

Jesus delayed so that the power of God would be seen. Jesus delayed so that God would be glorified. Jesus delayed so that people would believe. And, belief happened after Jesus healed Lazarus.

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. John 11:45

People believed thru the delayed blessing.

We live in an “immediate” culture where impatience drives the day. I am the world’s worst, as impatient as they come. This impatience fights faith. We want it now.

And, there are scenarios, where we desperately need it now. The seasons and moments will no doubt come. Seasons and moments of desperation where a delayed blessing seems like an unanswered prayer or lack of love from Jesus. The delayed blessing may not be as we define it. The delayed blessing may be in heaven. In fact, delayed blessings are inevitable in this world.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Bible is a story of followers of God having faith during what we would define as delayed blessings. From Job who lost it all saying, “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord,” to the New Testament believers facing extreme persecution for believing, the Bible gives us a picture of the faith of believers remaining strong during the delay.

Mary also gives us a great picture. As I mentioned, she had unabashed love for Jesus. He delayed. Lazarus died. And, when she sees Jesus after his death, she fell at his feet crying, saying, ” “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32

She loved Jesus despite Him not healing. She believed He could heal, but for reasons she couldn’t understand, He didn’t. She loved despite the outcome. And, Jesus was moved. He understood.

We will all arrive at this moment of desperation. May the words of Scripture encourage us to remain strong in our faith during the delayed blessing. We’ll battle unbelief for sure. But, may the words of the father with the sick little girl be our prayer.

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Mark 9:24

God is in control of the season, of the moment.

God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. Psalm 47:8

And, He never changes.

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

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