“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany … So the sisters sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom You love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it … He stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, … ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'”
(John 11:1a, 3-4a, 6b-7a, 14b-15 ESV)
I have never understood why Jesus waited two extra days before He went to Lazarus and his family. He loved them dearly! Why wait? Was it just to strengthen the disciples’ faith? That seems rather hard on the family.
It’s the kind of question I often want to ask God, too. Why allow this evil thing to happen? Why wait so long to help us, Lord?
Jesus never gives us an answer. I suppose at least He’s consistent with the way God usually acts! And yet, in the end, He does go to Lazarus—even late, even though everyone has given up hope. And He raises Him from the dead. It’s never too late with Jesus.
So what, then? I suppose I just have to let God be God, and wait patiently when I don’t understand. But I understand one thing—that God does indeed care. That He cares so deeply that He came into this world as one of us—Jesus Christ our Savior. That He loved us enough to let Himself be betrayed, suffer, and die on a cross, all to break the power of evil over us. Now everyone who trusts in Him will live forever—even if He has to raise us first, like Lazarus.
We Pray: Lord, I’ll try to be patient when I don’t understand You. Help me! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What is one thing God has done you don’t understand?
* How do you deal with it emotionally?
* How does knowing Jesus help you with this?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on February 28, 2024
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights