It was that Mary which annointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. John 11:2
A wonderful Christian couple who had been serving their Lord faithfully were deeply perplexed when one of their children became very sick. Instead of being able to carry on their work, they were reduced to spending long days and nights at the hospital at considerable expense and discomfort. In addition to their great concern for their sick child, they could not understand why they were called upon to go through such a trial. They were like many Christians today, with no clear answers as to why their burdens should be so heavy – so much heavier than others with far less interest in the things of God. They were also like Mary and her sister Martha, who were devastated by the sickness and eventually the death of their dear brother. Why did such wonderful people have to endure such a deep trial?
There is so much commendable about this family. And they had such a close relationship with Jesus. Surely they would be blessed in every way, we would think. But no, Lazarus was sick. Very sick. So sick that his sisters became alarmed and sent for Jesus. If the question of why was not on their lips, it was certainly in their hearts. Just as it is in many hearts today. But God’s purposes do not always have an answer to this question, at least an answer that we can understand today. But there is an answer, and it will be made plain someday.
In the days and months and years that lay ahead, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus would appreciate this great experience and understand that it was for the glory of their Lord. We look back on this event to see the great lessons that Scripture has for us. We see the great compassion Jesus had for His friends, and behold the tears He shed with them in their grief. We experience the thrill of witnessing His power in raising Lazarus. These we would never have known about had Lazarus not become ill. Far from being a tragedy, it became a great blessing that is still being appreciated and accomplishing God’s purposes two thousand years later.
It is natural to wonder why we enter into trials and woes. It is spiritual to trust our Lord to give us the answer in His time. -Jim MacIntosh