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Four Days Late Right on Time

John 11:38 – 39 - “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.  Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

            In John 11 John the beloved disciple gives an eye witness account of a great miracle of resurrection.  Lazarus, who was a dear friend of our Lord became sick.  His sisters, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus the one whom you love is sick. 
            Listen to Jesus response in John 11:4, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus continued where he was for two more days. There is no alarm or sense of urgency.  After these two days He turns to His disciples and says, “Let us go to Judea again.”

            When Jesus arrives Lazarus is dead and has been placed in the grave. The mourners are at the house to console Mary and Martha. He meets Martha first. Martha’s words are recorded in John 11:21, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Listen to Jesus answer, “I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

            He makes a journey to the cemetery where Lazarus has been entombed.  Mary, Martha, and the disciples thought that Jesus was four days late, but we learn in our study of the scriptures He was right on time.  In John 11:38, “Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’”

            Many of us have been waiting a long time for the fulfillment of prophetic promises, and maybe even thought of giving up, because the thing you have believed for has died and has been in the grave for four days.  Like Lazarus body it is decaying and carried the stench of death.  It may feel like He is four days late, but the good news is He is right on time.

            Just when it looks like it is over the Lord commands the stone to be rolled away.  He cries out with a loud voice and commands Lazarus to come forth from the grave. John 11:44 reads, “And he who had died came out….”  Why did He call Lazarus by name?  If He had just said, “Come forth,” the whole cemetery would have emptied out.  He called Him by name because He knew Him personally.

            He is a personal Lord who knows the names of those who love Him.  David wrote in Psalms 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” He delights to answer prayer and work on our behalf.  It may seem that He is four days late, but He is right on time.






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