In great despair and desperation, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus to come at once and heal their brother who just fell ill. Without any sign or prior warning, his health got worse. He was looking so pale, too weak to talk. They were helpless yet hopeful that Jesus, a very good family friend, will respond to their cry for help, abort his trip and visit them immediately. The two sisters were so relieved when they got a message back from Jesus, saying the sickness will not end in death.
“What a relief!” Martha told Mary.
“all we need to do now is keep him warm until the master arrives. He should be with us soon. You know him, he will make it a priority visit. He loves our brother very much. Besides, he will always remember your great sacrifice of washing his feet with oil and wiping it with your long gracious hair. Stop crying Mary, he has assured us, Lazarus will not die! Go and get something to eat!.”
At that moment, Lazarus began to grasp for breath and before the sisters could reach out to him, he stopped breathing completely.
“No, no, no!” the sisters started shouted and screaming,
“He promised he will not die. No Lazarus, please wake up, the master will soon be here, you can’t die on us. We love you.”
They called for help from neighbours, but no one was near. Mary, still holding on to her brother, crying and saying continuously, “Jesus said the sickness was not unto death.”
“He lied to us Mary. Where is he? He received our message. Why raise our hopes if he knew he will not be here to help?” Martha responded as she paced the dark room back and forth.
As custom demands, he was buried the same day. The sisters are so deflated in their hope and belief in the master. This is the third day, if any miracle will happen, it has to be today before his spirit departs from the tomb. He is still not here.
On The 4th Day
As Jesus entered their village, Martha rushed to me him. She was happy and disappointed at the same to see him;
“If you were here, my brother would not have died. Why did you raise our hopes?” She quizzed.
“I did not lie or raise your hopes. I allowed all these to happen for you to experience what you believe and know its the truth. The only way you can experience me as the resurrection and the life is to bring back to life a dead, forgotten case. That’s the only way to validate what you believe. Your brother will rise again. Nothing can hold him back at my command.” Jesus replied
When you receive a word, the situation does not have to get better (it can get worse) for God to step in. You need to experience my healing power that you believe in. You need to be stranded to experience my divine provision you believe. Experiencing what you believe takes your faith to the next level.
He will always be true to his words. None of his words have ever be void of fulfilment. Do you feel like Martha and Mary today? You feel let down by Him? He promised but has not showed up? Take encouragement from the Bethany sisters. You are about to experience what you believe.
