If Only

Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick, they said, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” I’m sure they felt like Jesus would show up immediately. But by the time Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus was dead, gone, and in the tomb for four days.

When Mary sees Jesus, she speaks the same words as Martha, “Lord, IF ONLY you had been here, my brother would not have died.” This always gets to my heart. I can feel her disappointment and grief. Can’t you? Haven’t you felt this, the IF ONLY moments in your life?

If only God intervened.

If only God opened that one door.

If only God moved a little faster.

If only God answered the prayer sooner.

IF ONLY!!! IF ONLY!!!

The days went on and on for the sisters and the friends waiting for Jesus. With every sunrise and sunset, Mary and Martha must have been wondering, what could be more important than this? Where is he? Why is it taking so long?

When Jesus finally arrived, He sees Mary’s tears and responds to her if only. What does He have to say for Himself? What explanation does He provide for His unacceptable tardiness?

Jesus sees the sisters’ tears, and He feels their pain. He is greatly troubled and deeply moved. Jesus didn’t rush to the solution; He didn’t skip over or dismiss their emotion. Jesus validates the pain and the disappointment, and even though He knows He will raise Lazarus from the dead, what does He do? He weeps. He shares in their tears and pain. He lets them know, you aren’t alone in your sadness. I have the answer but first, let me acknowledge your question, your pain and your tears.

Why didn’t Jesus get there sooner? Why did Jesus allow the delay? And if Jesus knows He’s going to raise Lazarus from the dead, why allow the pain and sadness beforehand? I really don’t know.

But we see a side of Jesus in this story that we haven’t seen before. We see Him drawing near to the broken-hearted, weeping with them in their pain. We see Jesus as a miracle worker, bringing death to life, and turning around an impossible situation. We see that although He was late, He was really right on time. His timing is different from ours.

When our heart feels broken, and our hope is deferred, we must remind ourselves that God is still near. He isn’t far off, in the clouds, or playing hide-and-seek. He’s right there. And when we feel like our heart is dead, even death isn’t final in God’s kingdom. He can bring dead dreams back to live.