Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where He was. (Luke 11:5-6)
Today, July 26, the Church commemorates three saints of the same household: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. These three faithful people Jesus knew very well. And these three faithful people knew Jesus very well too. They welcomed Him into their home and into their lives. We’re not sure how long Jesus knew them during his itinerant ministry, Galilee was a good 80 miles away from Bethany. But what matters is how the Lord knew them before the ages began: “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5).
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus show us the significance of hospitality and the importance of learning from the Lord Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). They also show us the importance of waiting on the Lord and allowing Him to work in His own way according to His own good timing. As we see above, Jesus could have come in time to heal Lazarus before he died, but He didn’t. Both Mary and Martha mention this to Jesus (John 11:21, 32) in their grief. Lazarus dies; Jesus weeps (John 11:35). But all this is done “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
What is it that you must be patient for? What must you wait on the Lord for that He would act in His own way and according to His own timing? Certainly, we think about vaccines during a time of pandemic, but there are more pressing issues of eternal importance. Could it be a wandering adult child who has walked away from the Faith? Could it be a spouse you’ve been praying faithfully for over the years? Be patient, dear Christian, for the Lord is working things out to bring Him the glory.
LET US PRAY: Gracious God, You have set before us many saints who have believed in Your promises and trusted Your Word in the face of much hardship and even death. Give to me that same strength, the strength You gave to Mary and Martha. Continue to give to me that life, the new life you gave to Lazarus’ dead body. And also, thanks you Lord for friends, for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who patiently persevere in the one true Faith. Amen.
Rev. Christopher Johnson