The Timing of the Lord in Prophecy

The testimony of John is that Lazarus was Jesus’ friend and that He loved him. The reasonable question would be why the Lord waited until His friend was dead before He came to him. Upon hearing that Lazarus was very sick, Jesus remained in Jerusalem for two days before departing the two-mile journey to Bethany. Most of us, when we have learned that a close friend or relative is very sick and may die, we would stop whatever we are doing and go to our friend immediately. Instead, Jesus waits. When the Lord arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. This can only mean that Jesus had intentionally stayed in Jerusalem until Lazarus had died.
By the time that Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus’ body was already in a rapid state of decomposition. The Lord wanted to make sure that all those who were there, as well as those who would read this story later, would understand that Lazarus was really dead. Jesus had a greater purpose for Lazarus than saving him from death. He wanted to demonstrate that He is the Messiah and that He has the power to resurrect to life all those who place their complete trust in Him.
A delayed answer is often the Lord’s will
A second important point that we should understand from this event: The Lord will often delay an answer to our pleas for help so that He can do an even greater work in our life. The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, had lost hope when their brother had died. As Jesus came into Bethany, Martha ran to meet Jesus; while Mary sat alone in the house. Everyone believed that it was too late, but Jesus wanted all of us to know that nothing is too hard for Him. When the circumstances of our life seem hopeless, this is when the Lord can do His greatest work. We should never give up in trusting the Lord. We don’t know what He might want to do even when we see no possibility of a solution. Remember that the Lord always has your best interest at heart. Everything which He brings you to, He will also bring you through. Though it might seem hopeless, you serve a God in whom all things are possible.