I Am the Resurrection and the Life | John 11

Welcome to Real Life. It (real life) is full of disappointments.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Lazarus was ill, seriously so. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” They fully expected Jesus to come and heal their brother. For, Jesus was more than their Lord. He was their friend.

But, Jesus did not come—immediately. He delayed two days. And, Lazarus died.

When Jesus finally arrived, the sisters’ greetings are heavy with disappointment. “If only you had been here…”

I’ve felt their disappointment—keenly: when my first husband left and never returned, while drowning in postpartum depression, when my father-in-law lay ill 18 years, when my mom lost her legs, when my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Lord, if only you had been here. These things would not have happened. Life would be good, as it should be. I know you, Lord. I am your follower and your friend. Why didn’t you come and answer my prayers?

Jesus’ response to Martha fills me with hope.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 NIV)

Sebastiano del Piombo, The Raising of Lazarus

When he arrives at the tomb where Lazarus has laid dead four days, Jesus weeps. Our God is not distant, unfeeling. He is moved by our pain, the pain that sin brought into this world. He calls, “Lazarus, come out!” To the amazement of those present, the once dead man comes forth, linen grave clothes dangling. Hallelujah! (Oh, to have been there.)

Jesus told Martha, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” She believed. She saw the glory. Her disappointment overwhelmed by joy.

Why did Jesus delay and allow Lazarus to die? He held a greater purpose. The town of Bethany is near Jerusalem and a great number of Jews were present. They were deeply divided over Jesus—was he Messiah or heretic? This resurrection miracle became a defining moment. No one had ever raised the dead. It was irrefutable proof of his deity. Many Jews believed. However, others refused to believe and ran to notify the authorities. After this miracle, the religious leaders so feared that “everyone will believe in Jesus,” they called for his death. (This, too, was God’s plan. For, Jesus came to die for our sins.[1]) They even planned to kill Lazarus, since he was living proof that Christ held power over death.[2]

Could Jesus have a greater purpose in my disappointments? They certainly have been defining moments. Would I walk away from Christ disillusioned? Or, would I press in deeper to better understand my God, his heart, his ways? I’ve pressed in. And (unworthy as I am), I’ve glimpsed His glory. My disappointment overwhelmed by joy.

One day, I will leave this world of disappointment behind forever. I will dwell in the glory of God!