Wait and See

What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for a job offer or a promotion at work? Maybe you are waiting for Mr. or Miss Right. Perhaps you are waiting on news from the doctor, a lab report, or test results. No matter what you're waiting for, waiting is difficult. Do you find yourself waiting anxiously or are you at peace during your wait? Jesus waited peacefully and we can, too, if we realize a few things about waiting. 

In John chapter 11 we read about two sisters, Mary and Martha, waiting on the Healer to come heal their brother, Lazarus. If we receive word that someone we love is deathly ill, we usually try to get to that person as quickly as possible. We want to be there to offer support, pray, or keep watch. Not Jesus. In John 11:5 we read. "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days." 

Jesus waited. He could have stayed where He was and said the word and Lazarus would have been healed, but He waited. Jesus knew Lazarus would die, and he did, yet Jesus continued to wait. He was the answer to the sisters' prayers, but He did not immediately go to them. He didn't answer their prayers the way they thought He would. They wanted a complete, instant healing but instead were witness to God's resurrection power. 

In my opinion, Jesus waited in this circumstance for a few reasons. In those days, the Jews thought the spirit of the deceased hovered near their dead body for three days before going to heaven. Jesus waited until Lazarus had been dead for four days so there could be no explanation other than Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

In John 11:19 we read, "and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother." We read in verse 45, "Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in Him." Reading further we find another reason for Jesus' wait. Jesus came to earth to be a sacrifice for sin by His death on the cross. In John 11:47, 48 we read how the religious leaders came to decide to arrest Jesus. The high priest, Caiaphas, stated, “…it is better for you that one man die for the people than the whole nation perish" (John 11:50). Caiaphas didn't realize just how right he was. It was essential for one man, Jesus, to die for all people of all nations to be saved through Him.

Jesus waited peacefully because He knew and obeyed God's plan for His life. We, too, can wait peacefully, because while we might not know exactly how the plan will be implemented, we know God does have a plan for our lives. Isaiah 64:4 reads, "Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways."

So from the reasons Jesus waited for the right time to act, I think we can learn a few reasons we might be waiting. We might be waiting so there can be no other explanation than an act of God to explain the miracle in your life. We could be waiting for God to act so others can witness what He will do for you and come to put their faith in Jesus. Maybe, just maybe, we are waiting for God to move so mightily and unexpectedly, doing, “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).

God is at work while we wait on Him. We can have peace while we wait to see Him glorified as He executes His perfect plan for our lives in His perfect time. Just wait and see.

Written by Heather Moore