Lazarus had more than a near-death experience (John 11:1-44). He was gone, and his cold motionless body verified the worst fears of his sisters, Martha and Mary. It was a sad day. The corpse was wrapped head to toe and carried to the family burial cave. It’s possible that the skeletal remains of the last relative to die were then removed from the stone bench and placed beneath it with the others in the bone repository. Another loved one “gathered to his fathers.” Lazarus was lovingly laid on the stone bench in the cave. One last look . . . then the cave opening was covered. Only memories and tears in the days ahead. Lazarus’ soul was with God. The only near-death part of this was with the sisters . . . they were seeing death up close and personal.

Jesus waited

And Jesus knew it. He knew it without being there. As long as a week had passed since Jesus got word that his dear friend was ill. He had decided that he would not make a house call on the sick. He waited. He would instead look for Lazarus in the cemetery. The reason for Jesus’ waiting becomes clear as the story unfolds. His waiting would allow his friend to slip from sickness to stillness. His waiting would give people time to ask the deep questions regarding life and eternity. And sometimes things have to get really bad before we let this process happen.

Faith is a funny thing, but it’s no laughing matter. It’s vital for salvation. We want our faith to be strong, but sometimes it’s weak. One part of it trusts, and another part rebels and doubts. When nurtured by the Word, our faith grows and might even surprise us by its newfound strength. But like an unused bicep, our faith atrophies when neglected and becomes too weak to raise our prayers heavenward. Sometimes faith is misguided, leading us to place our faith in our faith instead of in the promises of God. When faith goes unchallenged, we tend to hang on to it out of habit.

Jesus knows how fickle our faith can be, so he bends it and sends circumstances of life to keep us on track. For the benefit of those shedding tears for Lazarus, he waited. Then he went.

Jesus went

When Martha got word that Jesus had reached the city limits, she didn’t hesitate. Down the dirt street she ran, with puffy eyes fresh from her last cry. Their exchange included the important things regarding life and eternity: death, the resurrection, hope, and the role Jesus plays in all of it.