Jesus Deliberately Waits Two Days

Pastor’s Column

5^th Sunday of Lent

March 29, 2020

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he remained two days in the place where he was.

John 11:5-6

It is safe to say that most people, upon hearing of the grave illness of a close friend, would naturally try to drop everything to be by the side of their loved one as soon as possible. If, like Jesus, we had the power to cure our friend, how much more would we want to hurry! And yet, not only does Jesus not hurry, he deliberately waits until Lazarus is dead. The scriptures make it quite clear that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary) and Lazarus.” When you think about it, Jesus seems to be exhibiting some rather odd behavior for someone who “loves” these three people so much. The inevitable conclusion: Jesus’ delay IS love.

The disciples are the first to be perturbed by Jesus’ behavior. In answer to their questions, Jesus even goes so far as to say to them that “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, so that you may believe (John 11:14-15).” Martha, for her part, had been anxiously watching for Jesus’ arrival, and when he finally did appear, she wasted no time to remonstrate Jesus for his seemingly deliberate tardiness.

Of course, we come to understand later in the story that Jesus’ intention is to raise Lazarus from the dead. As he always does, he has a very good reason for this delay. But no one understands why Jesus is delaying until the end of the story and this is very significant for our lives too. Like Martha, Mary and the disciples, we often find ourselves wondering what God is up to, unable to figure out his plans for us – often until the very end. In fact, don’t things frequently make the most sense when we are looking at them in the rear-view mirror of life?

God has his own timing when responding to our prayers. He cannot be “made to hurry up” (I know because I try to get him to do this on a regular basis) or accomplish things in our lives according to our timetable or plans. These stories in the gospel are really the stories of our lives too. Who hasn’t been like Martha and Mary, anxiously and desperately praying for some outcome we feel is best, all the while wondering if God is even listening? Don’t we wonder sometimes why prayers turn out differently than what we asked for? Why God is taking so long? God frequently takes his time, even though he loves us as much as he loved Martha and Mary!

God has a perfect plan for our lives. He frequently appears to delay, or to be deaf, or to allow things we would not prefer, but always, always, always he has our best interests at heart. He knows what we will prefer he had done once we reach eternity, and this is the key to understanding many of the Lord’s mysterious actions in this world—and in our lives.

Father Gary

Reflections from Scott Hahn

At Lazarus’ Tomb: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Lent

Download Audio File

Giotto, The Raising of Lazarus, 1306

Readings:
Ezekiel 37:12–14
Psalm 130:1–8
Romans 8:8–11
John 11:1–45

As we draw near to the end of Lent, today’s Gospel clearly has Jesus’ passion and death in view.

That’s why John gives us the detail about Lazarus’ sister, Mary—that she is the one who anointed the Lord for burial (see John 12:3, 7). His disciples warn against returning to Judea; Thomas even predicts they will “die with Him” if they go back.

When Lazarus is raised, John notices the tombstone being taken away, as well as Lazarus’ burial cloths and head covering—all details he later notices with Jesus’ empty tomb (see John 20:1, 6, 7).

Like the blind man in last week’s readings, Lazarus represents all humanity. He stands for “dead man”—for all those Jesus loves and wants to liberate from the bands of sin and death.

John even recalls the blind man in his account today (see John 11:37). Like the man’s birth in blindness, Lazarus’ death is used by Jesus to reveal “the glory of God” (see John 9:3). And again like last week, Jesus’ words and deeds give sight to those who believe (see John 11:40).

If we believe, we will see—that Jesus loves each of us as He loved Lazarus, that He calls us out of death and into new life.

By His Resurrection Jesus has fulfilled Ezekiel’s promise in today’s First Reading. He has opened the graves that we may rise, put His Spirit in us that we may live. This is the Spirit that Paul writes of in today’s Epistle. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will give life to we who were once dead in sin.

Faith is the key. If we believe as Martha does in today’s Gospel—that Jesus is the resurrection and the life—even if we die, we will live.

“I have promised and I will do it,” the Father assures us in the First Reading. We must trust in His word, as we sing in today’s Psalm—that with Him is forgiveness and salvation.