Two Guys on a Log: Jesus Was Late

"But Jesus stayed where he was for two more days"! (Beginner's Bible)

Jesus was late?!  He knew his friend was sick.  He got the word that death was imminent.  And he delayed?

Gabe and I have a morning routine--ish.  After getting Abby hooked up with her instant breakfast drink and her friends Curious George, the Cat in the Hat, and Clifford the Big Red Dog, Gabe and I sit down to breakfast.  Cereal and toast will work just fine for him, but to go the extra mile--to mix up a batch of baked oatmeal, French toast or pancakes--really makes his day.

Traditionally, Gabe will ask if I want some coffee, or volunteer to top me off.  He loves serving!  Then he reaches over to the windowsill, grabs his bible and hands it to me for our daily reading, while he proceeds to engage his morning meal.  A very pleasant process for him.

Cycling through the New Testament, we read one story there for sure.  Some times we pick a random story from the Old, or skip back or forward based on what stirs for him as his mind pieces things together.  Currently, we're on our second time through, and one of my favorite stories to read with Gabe is that of Lazarus.  This morning I was captured afresh.

Have you ever had that sense while reading something for the umpteenth time, that you somehow missed an elementary truth all those other times?  "How could I have not seen that before?"  And more often than not, my times with Gabe are like this.  Perhaps it is the simplicity of the stories and our focus on just one of them rather than marathon reading.  Either way, slowing down has opened up so many new insights for me.

So here we are reading.  First, I am struck by the fact that these three siblings were very close friends of Jesus, yet not in His inner circle of those known as His 12.  Loved by Him.  Validated by Him.  Not following Him around like Matthew, Mark, John and the gang.    Well, there's a lot to unpack here I realize, so I'll save it for another time.  The big impact for me this morning? Jesus was late!  

Lazarus was dying.  

How urgent the circumstances seemed.  In deed, how urgent they were for Jesus' dear friends.  Surely He would come when they called.  He loved them.  They were close.  And they needed Him more now than ever.

They sent for him.  They waited for His prompt response.  But wait, the messenger returned...alone!  Alone?  Surely He's not far behind right?  "He's not coming? Not now, not tomorrow?!"  How could this be?  It doesn't compute! We're desperate here (heads spinning in disbelief)!!! ...and Lazarus slips beyond the realm of hope and timely salvation into death.  It's too late.  

Unbelievable.  Jesus was late.  Numbness sets in.  Grief is made more bitter by the questions that now surround these disappointed expectations.  Perhaps His love for them is questioned.  We don't know, though we can imagine a bit.  What we do know is that they were troubled and grieved.  When He finally arrived, "Martha went to (Jesus).  She was crying.  Martha said to Jesus, 'My dear brother has died.  If you had been here, you could have healed him!'"

In the blink of an eye, I saw our current circumstances, as if from above.  Our family in what seems like an 11th hour--sometimes even beyond--situation.  We expected Him to arrive in August when things seemed ill.  But surely He would come in October as our strength began to fail.  Still not here?  "Death" seems certain--for our dreams, our hopes, our provision.  

But in this story of Lazarus there is hope.

Fast forward. 

Even after death, Jesus' love is profound.  Even after death, His care is certain.  Even after death, His provision is sure.  And through it all--in the end--in what was very real and dire human need, Jesus was seen for who He really was. When He came through in a different timing all together, I must realize, "Everyone was amazed".  And, "Many people believed in Jesus that day."

So what is required for Jesus to come through?  My greatest hope is that our belief, our faith and that of those looking on our situation, will be enhanced--that Jesus will be seen for who He is when this is all said and done.  He has come through before, but this time the circumstances are different.  Yet, "His love never changes, it never gives up, it never runs out on me".  May we rest in His  love, our relationship with Him in this hour and the next, whatever time may bring.  And may Jesus be seen for who He is--loving, caring, good, and kind.