The Coming of Obedience

Often when I have had to tell my children no or have had to reprimand them about something it has caused them to not want to be around me for a little while. They at those times usually choose to go to their rooms until they are not upset with me anymore. Moments like that are hard but it is understandable, and it usually does not last very long. Later, when I give them enough time I can call for them and they are willing to come out and are able to be around me. They rejoin the rest of the family and we can move forward.

In John chapter 11 we read the story of Lazarus being very sick and how his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus about his condition. Jesus though didn't come right away to them but waited a few days. When he did arrive, Lazarus had already died, been buried and his sisters Martha and Mary were grieving. When hearing that Jesus was coming into town Martha went out to meet Him. Mary decided to stay in her house with those who were comforting her in her loss. Later Martha came to Mary saying that the Master has come and was calling for her. As soon as she heard that the Bible says that she rose up and quickly went to Jesus. Those that were comforting her saw how quickly she rose and followed her thinking she was going to the grave. They didn't know that she was going to meet with Jesus because Martha had told her privately. In the end, Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus while Martha and Mary stood by and witnessed the great miracle.

The passage that we need to deeply look at is verses 28-29 which says, “And when she had so said, she went her way and called Mary her sister secretly saying, “The Master is come and calleth for thee.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. Some may ask “Why are these verses so important?” but they are important and so overlooked when reading this story.

To understand it you have to go back to the beginning of Lazarus being on his death bed and his sisters sending word to Jesus to most likely come and heal him before he died. Jesus though does not come when asked and Lazarus dies- most likely with his sisters and friends at his bedside. They then have a funeral service, say their goodbyes, and bury him. Martha and Mary had to have been wondering during all this time "When is Jesus going to show up and fix this?" and yet He never did. He not only came after his death, but he waited until he had been buried. Mary after the service was over remained shut up in her house because she was grieving. Martha though hearing that Jesus was coming into town goes to see him but not Mary- she stayed home with those who were with her.  During this time, she had to have wondered why Jesus had not come when asked to- didn't He love them- didn't He care?" However, when Martha came to Mary and told her that Jesus was calling for her she quickly ran out to meet him. Regardless of how she felt at that moment or even what she was thinking about as to why Jesus had not come when asked she still went to meet Him when He was calling for her. Regardless of her deep sorrow in losing the brother so loved and maybe even feeling that she didn't have to lose him if Jesus would have come to them like they asked- she still went when He called for her and her, in turn, ran to meet him. 

Sometimes God’s ways are very difficult to sort through and understand. It can be frustrating to pray and ask God for something and yet feel He is not answering. It can make one feel like God is not listening to them or that He doesn’t understand. Then during that time to have God say to you “Come to Me” will truly prove where your heart is as to whether you will go or not.

For Mary, she knew that her brother was dead and that Jesus was the one who could have come and healed him, and He didn't. Yet even in her grief, confusion, and maybe even anger, she went to Lord when He asked her to come. When she did go to Him she told him that she felt that if He had been there her brother wouldn't have died. She was very honest with Jesus and He listened to her. In the end, her brother, as stated before, was resurrected from the dead by Jesus and many believed in Him because of the miracle that day. 

Each of us will face many difficult times in our lives and times when we feel that God has not done His part by answering our prayers and yet we are to trust His ways are not our ways. We need to remember that He has all things in control and even though they may not turn out how we desired he will make all things for good in the end. If during one of those difficult moments in life you hear the voice of your Lord calling for you be sure to rise quickly and go to Him. His love for you is so enormous and beyond measure. His plan is not to hurt or cause pain to you but to be there when you need Him for love, comfort, strength, and peace.

So again, know that just like Mary Jesus may not have come when she asked him to but in the end, he did make things turn out good for her. However, also remember that she went to Him during her pain and suffering not thinking He would be able to turn things out for her good because in her mind Lazarus was dead and that was the end of it. She went however out of her deep love for Him. She went because even though she at that point didn't have the answer she wanted she went out of love, honor, and respect for Jesus and that is what each of us should do and let God handle the rest. We each must be willing to come when He calls us even if it does not make sense, or even when it is a time that we feel could have been avoided had Jesus answered our prayers. To come out of our love, honor, and respect for just who He is and let him make all things turn out for our good because of His great love for us and our great love for him. That is what we need to be willing to do…...to come whenever he calls—that coming that is in obedience.

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns