Lazarus is dead. His sisters are distraught. Christ is weeping.
Four days now Lazarus has been lying in a cold, dark tomb.
Christ’s presence was requested while Lazarus will still alive but He opts to stay away for two days.
It wasn’t that He didn’t love Lazarus and his sisters but He’s setting the stage to show His love FOR them.
“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.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.” John 11:4-6
No doubt the sisters were confused. They knew Christ cared for them so where was He? I’ve felt the same way, have you?
When our prayers aren’t answered immediately it’s easy to wonder where God is or why He hasn’t responded.
Lazarus’ story may hold the answer.
Could it be God is preparing to “show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him?” 2 Chron 16:9
When the marriage is crumbling, the debts are piling up, our dreams have died, the business is faltering, sales are few, heartache and hopelessness are our norm, could this be God setting the scene for our own Lazarus moment?
Lazarus’ fate was no longer in the hands of man but had become completely dependent upon God and if He didn’t show up, Lazarus would never take another breath.
But Christ who is “God made manifest in the flesh” showed up. 1 Tim 3:16
Christ comforts the sisters then tells them He delayed His coming so only God through Him would receive the glory when Lazarus’s story was told to future generations.
The Message translation tells us Lazarus’ miracle “will become an occasion to show God’s glory by glorifying God’s Son.” John 11:4
For years I tried to fix my brokenness myself, attempting to cope by using manmade methods only to fail repeatedly eventually dying spiritually and emotionally until one weekend when I experienced my own Lazarus moment.
You see, I was a woman who had died years ago inside from the deadly diseases of insecurity, anger, shame, resentment, failure and addictions. This was my story and there’s simply no sugarcoating my then truth.
Kneeling before a makeshift cross I cried out 43 years of hurts, guilt and shame and it was there I heard my name being called. That moment I was revived and free, once and for all.
The addictions and emotional issues I had tried to heal for years with various forms of therapy including self-medication were suddenly and simply gone never to return.
Christ did what nothing and no one could do.
When I share my testimony, afterwards ladies often comment that it’s hard to ever imagine this is my story but it is.
Only God can give life to what looks and feels dead, restoring dreams, marriages, relationships, health and wealth and healing emotional hurts and childhood traumas, shameful pasts and present pains if we ask and believe.
Circumstances may say “it’s over,” people may tell you to quit, give up, walk away, let the dream go, stay angry, settle for less than you deserve, be content, live an average life, refuse to forgive, stop trying and so on.
We either choose to listen to the world or listen to the Word.
God’s promises are only helpful if we know them and we can only know them by spending time reading them.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide (live) in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7
And when the stone has been rolled away and you have emerged from your darkness into His marvelous light, the story of how you’ve overcome will give all honor and credit to Him.
You will have firsthand knowledge of His power to do the seemingly impossible and you will have experienced your own Lazarus moment.
Sandra Hubbard
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