Our text today is taken from John 11:39-44. In this story we see that Jesus loved Lazarus, the bother of Mary and Martha. We know Jesus loved him because when Lazarus got sick, they simply told Jesus, “The one you love is sick.” Jesus knew who that was. In John 11, Jesus stands at the 4-day-old tomb of his dead friend. Standing and weeping beside the grave, Jesus told them,
“Take away the stone,”
“But, Lord,” said Martha, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
There is something special in this story. More than anything, Martha wanted her brother back, but he was dead. Not only dead, but dead so long that by now he stunk. She remind Jesus of this. Did she think Jesus didn’t know?
Sometimes there is a little of Martha in all of us. We want God to do something, but it just seems to big to ask. Even when God says he will do something, we seem reluctant to think that he is up to the task. Instead of reminding God of how big the task is, we just don’t ask. By the way, Martha didn’t ask either.
This calls to mind Ephesians 3:20 where God is identified as the one who “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” Sometimes we don’t ask or think. James told us, “You have not because you ask not.”
Jesus didn’t chide her for her faith failure, he just preformed the miracle of raising a four-day-old dead man. Our text continues.
“Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
The world and worldly Christians may doubt the ability and power of God, but we must never doubt.
As Jeremiah wrote of God, “His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
He is not only faithful to you, but great is his faithfulness.
Lonnie Davis