At first it was hard to believe: the Lord Jesus Christ received the... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

When he (Jesus) heard that he (Lazarus) was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was.
John 11: 6.

At first it was hard to believe: the Lord Jesus Christ received the news from the two worried sisters in Bethany that their brother was ill, yet He stayed another two days where He was.

Wouldn't it have been better to set out straight away? Weren't those whom He loved, and who loved Him dearly in dire need? He was always so sympathetic, we would have expected Him to react at once!

However, Jesus, who already knew the outcome, waited and then, apparently, arrived in Bethany too late: Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already.

The two sisters were convinced that Lazarus would not have died, if Jesus had been there.

So why the delay? What was the purpose of their tears? Why does God not answer His children's pleading at once, but makes them wait? One thing is certain: any delay is not intended to torment His children. His loves them too much for that!

Raising Lazarus from the dead was to be a special sign: God's glory was to be revealed, and Jesus should be confirmed as the Son of God. The sisters and all present were to experience His power and greatness. That would not have been the case, if the Lord had acted immediately.

Jesus has blessing in mind even in the trials in our lives. He often fails to change the troublesome conditions as quickly as we wish or in the way we imagine. But by revealing His love in and through our need, He changes us ourselves by making us look to Him and acknowledge His ways.

Today‘s reading: 1 Samuel 26: 1 - 12 · Philippians 4: 1 - 7