A Day Late

I know. It is Tuesday morning, not my usual Monday morning. I'm a day late. If you follow my posts on Facebook you already know we had a wonderful busy weekend celebrating our grandson Calvin's graduation from Gilbert High School. He is such a nice young man (I've loved him for 18 years and one month.)! A grandmother's heart just seems to get bigger and bigger over time. There is so much to love.

So today, as I process all the memories of our good times, I hope this message offers you something you need on your Tuesday after memorial day. For many of you your hearts may be hurting as you focused on the many lost soldiers who fought so faithfully for our freedom. I remember them, too. I am so thankful for our earned freedoms and the country we live in. Though it is far from perfect, we are blessed to live here.

Jesus was a day or two or four late once, also. We may even think He is late in answering our prayers. But, God's timing is perfect, even when we can't understand. According to Mary and Martha Jesus was late answering their call to Him. They sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick. Jesus loved Lazarus as a brother. The book of John tells the story of Lazarus' illness and Jesus' response in chapter 11. Jesus delayed his visit to Lazarus for a reason; to help others believe. We pick up the story as follows.

"When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him!' he asked. Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" (John 11:32-37 NIV).

"Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." (John 11:40-42 NIV).

Jesus then calls Lazarus from the tomb and he came out, still wrapped with linen. Lazarus lives! Jesus raised Lazarus from death so that all the people would know the power of God in His Son Jesus. Lazarus went on to recline at the table with Jesus for the Last Supper in the Upper Room.

Sometimes a day late is okay. Jesus used his tardiness to fulfill the prophesies and set Himself up to be crucified because so many came to follow Him after seeing Him raise Lazarus from the dead. The story of Lazarus continues to make believers. If you have doubts, or want a powerful reminder of Jesus' life, read or reread John Chapter 11. It is worth your time.

A beloved friend dies;

Jesus is late to save.

Instead He comes to raise Lazarus from death

so we would believe.