A Divine Delay

I’ll admit it. I am naturally a latecomer.

There are two kinds of people in this world – those who are the first to the party, and those who are the last to arrive. Those who have lots of time to spare in the morning, and those who rush to beat the clock. Those who eat their breakfast at the kitchen table, and those who fumble around trying to eat it in the car on their way.

If you’re an early bird, there is a good chance that you have become frustrated by a latecomer once or twice. And truthfully, we latecomers don’t blame you! We can be very frustrating! But, let me take a moment to speak up for all my fellow latecomers! In general, we don’t TRY to be late! Contrary to popular belief, most of us aren’t scheming up an elaborate plan to “make an entrance!” We genuinely TRY to be on time, but by some miscalculation, some oversleeping, or some frantic last-minute tasks, we mistakenly run late. More often than not, our delay is unintentional.

In one of my favorite passages of Scripture, there seems to be a delay. Unlike my delays, however, this one was not a mistake or a miscalculation. This was an intentional delay. This was a DIVINE delay.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” (John 11:5-7)

This delay is perplexing to me. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters very much, and yet, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he waited to go see them. The chapter continues…

“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.” (John 11:17) 

At first glance, it would seem that Jesus was too late. In fact, it sounds as if Mary and Martha feel this way too. They both have the exact same reaction when Jesus arrives. They each say…

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21, 32)

Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever uttered similar words and questioned the Lord’s timing in your life? I know I have.

So, it begs the question, why did Jesus wait four days?

Let’s step back. On this side of history, we know that Jesus would eventually conquer death, hell, and the grave, but remember, Mary and Martha hadn’t seen this yet. They had seen him heal the sick and the afflicted. They had watched him give sight to the blind and mend a paralytic. But Jesus was trying to show something more. They knew him as a Healer, but he was trying to show them that he was the Resurrection and the Life.

We all know the end of the story. Jesus calls out to Lazarus and miraculously, after having been dead for four days, Lazarus walks right out of the tomb – grave clothes and all! What a sight that would have been! 

Jesus’ delay was not a denial.

Often, God operates on a timetable that we do not expect or understand. Our feeble minds cannot always fathom His schedule or plan. Yet, we can trust that He always has our best interest at heart.

So, if you find yourself in a season of waiting, be encouraged that you can trust His timing. It may not happen exactly how we envision it, but we can be assured in knowing that the Resurrection and the Life is never late.  

His delays are not an accident.

They are not to trick or taunt us.

They are not a miscalculation.

Divine delays are intentional.

They are orchestrated with love and kindness.

They are a part of His perfect timetable.

In this way, divine delays are really no delay at all. They are right on time.