Lesson from the Story of Lazarus
Did you have a good Easter? I hope you were able to celebrate our RISEN LORD. During the Easter season I took some time to read through the gospels. It’s refreshing to listen to the words of Jesus as He is walking through His life and ministry. I’ve also just finished reading “The Lazarus Life” by Stephen Smith. It is a good read…talking about the spiritual transformation in our lives as ordinary people. One of the things that caught my attention in the story of Lazarus was the fact that Jesus lingered for a few days before going to Bethany.
Now we all know the reason He stayed…so that a greater glory could be revealed. But for Mary, Martha and for sure Lazarus…they wanted Jesus there “right now.” Smith in his book says, “One of the mysteries of the spiritual life is that sometimes Jesus doesn’t come when we need Him the most. Waiting for Jesus to arrive is part of the transformational process.”
I don’t know about you…but we have found this to be true in our own lives. I recall while serving overseas when our little Jessica was sick and needed medical help…and we had to leave Papua New Guinea to head back to the States to get into a children’s hospital for surgery. There were times in the midst of that experience that we felt like Jesus was lingering. I know also that there are many missionaries who are or have experienced times when Jesus lingered.
We know the truth of the Lazarus story in our head, but often disbelief or even disappointment can set in…and it is in those times that we can become discouraged or even angry.
None of us like to wait…but often times true life transformation comes when we wait on the lingering Jesus. As you reflect on the Easter story, what transforming work does God want to do in your life in the midst of this Easter season?
My prayer for you today is that if you feel like Jesus is lingering, that you will recognize that He also wants to do a transforming work in your heart…so that His greater glory can be seen in and through you.
Perry Bradford
Executive Director
