25 Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,”
John 11:25
One of Jesus’ favorite homes to stay at was the home of Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus. It was in Bethany, near Jerusalem, and he could retreat there away from the crowds at the Temple. We have many stories about his relationship with this little family. John tells us that Lazarus became ill and the sisters sent word to Jesus. Jesus did not go immediately but he did know that Lazarus died. The disciples are confused by the delay and the sisters are dispairing as they realized that Jesus could have done a miracle for them, the beloved friends, as he had done for so many others.
How often does God not work in the way we think he could or might or as we have prayed and the obvious conclusion is that he doesn’t care about us or our situation? Problems never seem to come at a convenient time and death of a loved one is never welcome, even when they have been declining with disease. Life is always precious.
Jesus waited four days and went to Martha and Mary. Martha met him coming and lamented that had he been there Lazarus would not have died. She confessed her faith that this catastrophe could have been avoided. God is the God of the impossible and does have all power so suffering always challenges our faith, even today. Jesus did not want her to just focus on the immediate but wanted her to understand the eternal. Rebounding from our problems is certainly within God’s ability but Jesus wanted her to see that he is the God of eternal rebound, of eternity. He is the resurrection and the life.
God helps us bounce back from trials but more important is that he cares about our eternity and is working to that goal. We can’t see eternity but he can. We don’t always know the best way forward but he does. We always want to choose the shortcut but he works towards permanent solutions. It is hard to trust and “keep the faith.” Some days I fall on my knees and pray, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.” Blessings as you place those hard places in your life that need resurrection in God’s hand. He cares. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 