Jesus was good friends with a family comprised of three siblings – Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. Scripture tells us that Jesus had a special love for each one and hung out in their home. Likewise, they were generous with hospitality and gifts.
When Lazarus came down with a life-threatening illness, the sisters sent word to Jesus. The Lord’s reaction seems odd … “So, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” I’ve often wondered why Jesus didn’t drop everything and rush to His friend’s side. Isn’t that what a true companion would do?
Even worse, Lazarus died. Of course the rest of the story is that after Jesus finally got there, He called on God and Lazarus came back to life. OK … Jesus held the trump card. Maybe that had something to do with His strange initial response.
Knowing that the situation is under control in the hands of One who is supremely powerful definitely takes the crazy urgency out of the equation. Getting to this realization, however, requires that I spend time in quiet, reflecting on the smallness of even my greatest problem in light of who God is. I’ve got to constantly work on that.
Will this insight cause me to trade in my often chaotic pace for a calm, serene life of saying “What’s the rush”? Well, I’m probably not there yet, but maybe I’ve gained a little perspective.
Jesus holds the trump card… I’m glad I’m on His team!