The Timing of Love

In today’s Gospel lesson, John tells the story of the raising of Lazarus. It is often remembered as a dramatic miracle story, a preview of Easter. But if we listen carefully, we discover that this is not primarily a story about resurrection rushing in to solve a problem. It is a story about waiting. About grief. About what happens when God does not arrive on the timetable we expected.

The story begins quietly, not with death but with illness. Lazarus is sick, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, do what faithful people do. They send word to Jesus. There is no accusation in their message, no demand. Just trust: “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” They believe help is on the way.

But Jesus does not come.

John tells us plainly—almost painfully—that Jesus stays where he is for two more days. No explanation is offered. No reason is given to the sisters. By the time Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been in…