Four Days Late

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were good friends of Jesus (a brother and two sisters). Lazarus was sick (John 11:1) so the sisters sent for Jesus (v. 3). Jesus responded, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (v. 4). Then Jesus stayed where He was for "two more days" (v. 6).

Jesus knew what He was about to do. That is why He said, "This sickness is not unto death" (v. 4a). Though He knew Lazarus would die, it would not be permanent. It was all for the glory of Jesus. After the two days, they headed back to Judea where Bethany was located (v. 7).

The disciples questioned the wisdom of this trip (v. 8), so Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead" (v. 14). Then Jesus added, "Let us go to him" (v. 15b). So they headed out for Judea, for the town of Bethany.

Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus discovered that His friend Lazarus "had already been in the tomb four days" (v. 17). Jesus was four days late, yet He was right on time!

Martha came to Jesus (v. 20), and said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (v. 21). She continued, showing her faith, "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You" (v. 22). Four days late, yet right on time!

Jesus told Martha, "Your brother will rise again" (v. 23). Martha knew he would rise again at the end of time (v. 24), but Jesus was referring to something a little sooner. He said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (vv. 25-26). Martha responded with great faith, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world" (v. 27).

Then Mary came and said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (v. 32b). Four days late, yet right on time!

Even the Jews who had gathered said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?" (v. 37). Four days late, yet right on time!

When Jesus stood before the tomb, He said, "Take away the stone" (v. 39a). Martha said, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days" (v. 39b). Four days late, yet right on time!

Jesus, speaking to Martha, said, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" (v. 40). So "they took away the stone" (v. 41a). Then Jesus prayed, "Father, I thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me" (vv. 41b-42). Then Jesus cried out, "Lazarus, come forth!" (v. 43). And Lazarus waked out of the tomb, or more likely hobbled out of the tomb, as he was "bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth" (v. 44a). And Jesus said, "Loose him, and let him go" (v. 44b). Four days late, yet right on time!

And what happened? "Many of the Jews," having "seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him" (v. 45). Salvation all around! Four days late, yet right on time!

Often when we pray, it seems Jesus delays in answering our prayer. We are impatient and we think Jesus is late, maybe four days late, maybe longer. But when the answer does come, when Jesus acts, maybe even answering our prayer with a miracle, we realize that Jesus was right on time. Jesus is never late. He is always right on time. Amen.