What Does The Delay Of Jesus In Coming To Lazarus Teach Us About Gods Timing In Our Lives?
The Delay of Jesus: Understanding God’s Timing Through the Story of Lazarus
Few stories in Scripture illustrate the mystery and purposefulness of God’s timing as profoundly as the account of Jesus delaying His visit to Lazarus, found in John 11. While Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, expected Jesus to come immediately and heal their brother, Jesus purposefully waited, allowing Lazarus to die before He arrived. What can this teach us about God’s timing in our own lives?
1. God’s Timing Is Not Our Timing
When Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill, He remained where He was for two more days. To human reasoning, this seemed like a failure to respond to a desperate need. Yet Jesus had a higher purpose:
But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby. - John 11:4 ASV
This teaches us that God’s agenda may differ greatly from ours. While we often seek immediate relief, God is working a larger plan for His glory and our ultimate good. His “delays” are never accidental.
2. The Delay Reveals Faith and Dependence
Both Martha and Mary expressed faith in Jesus, but also disappointment at His timing:
Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. - John 11:21 ASV
Jesus used this opportunity to deepen their faith, calling Martha to believe in Him as the resurrection and the life, not just as a healer:
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live. - John 11:25 ASV
God often uses delays to refine our trust in Him, teaching us to rest not in our expectations, but in His unchanging character and promises.
3. Delays Prepare for Greater Glory
If Jesus had healed Lazarus immediately, the miracle would have been remarkable, but by raising a man who had been dead for four days, the glory of God was displayed even more powerfully. The people who witnessed it believed in Jesus:
Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him. - John 11:45 ASV
God’s “delays” can create a stage for greater displays of His power, bringing Him honor and drawing others to faith.
4. God’s Timing Is Always Perfect and Loving
Even in delay, Jesus’ love for the family is emphasized:
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. - John 11:5 ASV
His timing is never indifferent or careless. For the believer, even apparent delays are woven with love, wisdom, and purpose.
Practical Applications
- When God seems slow to answer, remember His intentions are always wise and loving (Romans 8:28 ASV).
- Delays can build deeper faith and dependence on Christ.
- God may be preparing a greater testimony from your situation than you expect.
- Hold fast to God’s promises, trusting His timing is perfect (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV).
Conclusion
The story of Lazarus reminds us that God’s delays are not denials. They are purposeful pauses that invite us to trust Him more deeply, wait expectantly, and witness His glory in ways we could never have imagined. In every season of waiting, Christ is both present and sufficient.