Scripture References: John 11:1-44; Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified); Isaiah 55:8; John 6:68; Hebrews 4:15 (Amplified)
Intro: Welcome to this sermon. Today's guest speaker is Jill Ludlow, founder of Full Sail ministries. She shares from her own journey of waiting on God and grappling with questions that arise when His timing or actions don't make sense. How do we walk in trust through confusion, grief, or delay? The story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in John 11 offers profound insight into encountering Jesus amidst life's painful mysteries.
Key Points:
- God's Delays ≠ Lack of Love (vv. 5-6): Jesus deeply loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. His intentional two-day delay after hearing of Lazarus's illness wasn't neglect; it was purposeful, ultimately aimed at revealing God's glory and deepening faith (vv. 4, 15). We shouldn't interpret God's apparent delays as a sign of His displeasure or forgetfulness.
- Trusting God's Timing & Ways (vv. 9-10, Isa 55:8): Jesus operated according to His Father's perfect timing and plan, not human urgency or fear. He walked securely in God's light. We're called to trust His timing and ways, even when they differ vastly from our own expectations or understanding.
- Two Responses to Grief & Confusion:
- Martha (Surface Control, vv. 20-27): She rushed to meet Jesus, immediately confronting Him with "If you had been here..." She defaulted to theological correctness ("I know he'll rise...") perhaps as a way to manage overwhelming grief and regain control. This reflects our tendency to stay on the surface, seeking answers and control instead of vulnerable connection. Jesus gently redirects her to Himself: "I am the resurrection."
- Mary (Vulnerable Engagement, vv. 28-33): When called, Mary went immediately, fell at Jesus' feet (her place of intimacy), and poured out her honest pain and question ("Lord, if you had been here..."). She didn't hide her heart.
- Jesus' Response: Empathy First (vv. 33-35): Faced with Mary's raw grief (and that of the mourners), Jesus didn't offer platitudes or immediate explanations. He was "deeply moved" and He "wept." He entered their sorrow, showing profound empathy, even knowing resurrection was moments away. He meets us in our pain before fixing the problem. He is a High Priest who understands (Heb 4:15).
- God's Greater Purpose (Risking Misunderstanding, vv. 15, 39-44): Jesus allowed this painful situation to unfold because He planned a greater miracle – resurrection, not just healing – to build lasting faith ("so that you may believe"). He risks our temporary misunderstanding for our ultimate good and His greater glory. Trusting His known love helps us navigate confusing times (like Peter in John 6:68).
Conclusion: In times of waiting, confusion, or grief, Jesus doesn't demand stoicism or perfect understanding. He invites honest, vulnerable engagement like Mary offered. He meets our raw pain with deep empathy ("Jesus wept") before revealing His power. We can trust Him through the confusing delays because His love is constant, His timing is purposeful, and His ultimate plan involves resurrection and life beyond what we can currently see.
Call to Action: Are you facing a situation you don't understand? Wrestling with God's timing? Resist the urge to retreat into intellectualizing or controlling your circumstances. Instead, when Jesus calls, go to Him. Fall at His feet. Pour out your honest heart – the hurt, the questions, the confusion. Receive His empathy. Trust His presence and His promise never to leave you, even when you don't understand the path (Heb 13:5).
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