JUST THE JOB FOR JESUS

By Evangelist Garlena Hines

“When he heard this, Jesus said, this sickness will not end in death…… Lord Martha said to Jesus if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that EVEN NOW God will give you whatever you ask”  
John 11:4 & 21-22

Have you been in a situation that overwhelmed you because of the circumstances?  Or have you met an individual, and in your opinion, you felt they would not reach their destiny because of their present condition?  You counted them out, you felt the situation will not get better?  A mother may feel that her son is just a misfit to society, he’ll never grow up.  Readers, the more I grow in the faith I am learning that God allows these situations because it causes us to totally depend on Him.  To the woman who’s praying for that wayward son and it seems the more you pray the worst he becomes; to the father who is interceding for his family but see no change; to the one who’s praying for the marriage, but divorce is staring you in the face; to the believer who’s believing God for your finances, but foreclosure and bankruptcy is running behind you.  These situations seem like there’s no solution but I want to encourage you through this article to look the devil in the face and say, “This is just the job for Jesus”. 

Let’s look at the focal passage.  Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, has taken ill and the word is sent to Jesus.  Now you have to understand the closeness of their relationship to understand this passage.  They were not just hanging buddies or associates, but Jesus had a kindred spirit with Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  Whenever He came through town He was known to visit them.  In Luke 10:38-41 we see Jesus on one of His visits with them.  In this passage the roles of Mary and Martha teach us that “balance” in our Christian walk is very important.  Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus while Martha is preparing a meal and a little upset that Mary is not helping.  Jesus explains to Martha that He appreciated her frying chicken and cooking biscuits, but Mary was worshipping, which was more needful.  So their relationship with Jesus was very intimate. 

The word is sent to Jesus and I was surprised how He responded.  Jesus didn’t send a get well card, a nurse, doctor or even one of the disciples.  He didn’t even return to check on Lazarus but He sent something more important.  He sent a WORD.  Maybe Mary and Martha felt they needed Him to come back and at least check on Lazarus, but isn’t that just like GOD to do the opposite of what we think we “need” Him to do.  He says, “This sickness is not unto death”.  Not only did He NOT return but when Lazarus died Jesus stayed away a couple more days.  Now, if I was a defense attorney I would have a hard time defending Jesus.  When you study this passage, you’ll learn that He wasn’t preaching, healing, raising the dead, at Megafest or any of that, Jesus was chillin’.  Now, let’s look at this, “the one he loved – Lazarus” was sick, He sent a word, the “one He loved Lazarus” dies, He stays away longer.  I am quite sure that Mary and Martha were disappointed in Jesus’ response. 

The Bible says when they heard that Jesus was coming toward the town, Mary stayed in the house, but Martha went to meet Him.  Isn’t this the same Mary who sat at His feet and worshipped in Luke chapter 10?  Isn’t it funny how our emotions can determine how we worship God?  As long as she was sitting at His feet and everything was okay she was fine, but when He didn’t come when she expected it presented a problem for her.  But I like Martha, although she was upset she understood, if I’m mad, I can’t stay mad long because I will need Jesus to help me with this issue.   

The situation looked as if it were over.  Lazarus is no longer sick, he’s dead.  The family came and sat with the sisters, they ate chicken, potato salad, had bread pudding’.  Momma and ‘dem came, Ray-Ray was there, Pookie showed up, everybody paid their last respects---except Jesus.  Can you imagine how upsetting this must have been?  Martha approaches Jesus and releases her frustrations… “If you had been here my brother would not have died”, but she quickly gets herself together by saying, “but I know that EVEN NOW God will give you whatever you ask”.  Now do not miss this.  She did not have this confidence based on her relationship with Jesus (Luke 10:38-41).  No, it was deeper then that.  She had this confidence because of what Jesus gave her in verse 4, a WORD.  She knew somehow if He spoke it, it would come to past.  Although it looked like it was over, her brother had been in the grave for some days; his body was stinking; they cashed the insurance policy, at that point that didn’t matter because Martha had a word in her that allowed her to say “This is just the job for Jesus”. 

This is what Martha was standing on, the promise Jesus gave her in verse 4.  What has He spoken to you concerning your situation? Understand that the longer it takes for God to show up in your situation, the greater the glory.  I encourage you don’t count yourselves out, but stand and wait on GOD to fulfill the promise He made to you.    Because Martha didn’t count herself out, or the situation, her brother was resurrected.  I pray this article will encourage you to understand that there is no situation too hard for God to resurrect.  Whatever God promised hold on to it.  If he promised to restore your marriage, don’t be moved by the fact that it looks dead.  If He promised healing on this side, don’t allow the doctor’s report to put fear in you.  Whatever you do, stand and wait on the LORD.  Be of good courage and keep saying…. “THIS IS JUST THE JOB FOR JESUS”.