Why Does Jesus Wait?
It's a challenge for us throughout the gospel of John and still yet today.
There are some significantly difficult aspects to the story of Jesus and Lazarus in John 11.
Jesus’ delay in going to Bethany is one of the most puzzling ones, and scholars have wrestled with it for centuries. On the surface, it seems like Jesus intentionally waited for Lazarus to die in order to make his resurrection more dramatic. John 11:6 says that when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness, he stayed where he was for two more days. When he finally decided to go, he told his disciples, Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. This suggests that Jesus delayed intentionally so that the miracle would have a greater impact. However, this raises an uncomfortable question—was Jesus’ delay unkind? He would have known that Mary and Martha, whom he loved, would experience deep grief in the meantime—along with many others who cared for Lazarus. The pain they endured was a real consequence of his decision to wait.
Yet, Jesus does not appear to be emotionally removed from this pain. We’ll see soon enough that when he arrives and sees the sorrow of all who love Lazarus, he weeps. His delay was not about indifference, nor was it performative. Rather, it was a purposeful move that set in motion the final confrontation between himself and the religious authorities. As such, it reflects a larger theme we’ve seen at work already in John’s gospel—divine timing versus human urgency. If Jesus had arrived earlier and healed Lazarus before his death, it would have been another miraculous healing, but not as profound as a resurrection. His delay allowed for something even greater to be revealed: that he is the resurrection and the life (11:25). This moment also parallels Jesus’ approach in other miracles where faith is required in moments of uncertainty, such as when he told the royal official that his son would live without going to see him (4:50), or when he instructed the man at the pool to stand and walk (5:8).
Another perhaps surprising aspect for us in this is that the delay also served another purpose—it forced a confrontation. Unlike previous moments when Jesus avoided direct conflict with religious authorities, this time he walks toward it. The raising of Lazarus is the turning point in John’s gospel, directly leading to the plot to kill Jesus (John 11:53). In this sense, Jesus was waiting not just for Lazarus to die but for the situation itself to escalate. He knew that bringing a dead man back to life would force the authorities to take action. He wasn’t avoiding them; he was setting the stage for what would come next. This is particularly characteristic within John.
More broadly, this passage challenges how we understand God’s timing. Jesus’ delay stretches the faith of his disciples and those closest to him, requiring them to trust him beyond their understanding. For them, as for us, it raises the question: can we trust in Jesus even when it seems like he’s too late? The story of Lazarus reminds us that while God’s timing does not always align with our urgency, it is never without purpose, and usually one we do not have the foresight to see. Jesus does not move in haste or react impulsively, but he is never absent or apathetic. His deliberate timing—whether in Bethany or in our own lives—is always working toward something greater, even when we struggle to see it.
For us, such a move of timing really challenges our desire to know it all and be in control. We must wrestle with this.
John 11:6c-16
he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.”
The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?”
Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn’t stumble because they see the light of the world. But whoever walks in the night does stumble because the light isn’t in them.”
He continued, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I am going in order to wake him up.”
The disciples said, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well.” They thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was in a deep sleep, but Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’ death.
Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. Let’s go to him.”
Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other disciples, “Let us go too so that we may die with Jesus.”
Psalm 31:14-16
But me? I trust you, Lord! I affirm, “You are my God.” My future is in your hands. Don’t hand me over to my enemies, to all who are out to get me! Shine your face on your servant; save me by your faithful love!
Prayer
God,
Your timing often challenges me. I want answers now, resolution now, healing now. But you move with purpose, not haste. Help me to trust in your timing, even when I struggle to see the reason for delay. Teach me patience, deepen my faith, and keep my hope steady in you.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.