Love's Heartbeat

It had to be obvious to all how much Jesus loved His friends at the Bethany retreat house. So the sisters sent an urgent message to Him that the beloved brother, Lazarus, was sick - very sick. They expected that Jesus would hurry on over. Is there a more puzzling two verses than these: "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was." John 11:1-27

And this hard-to-understand response allowed Lazarus' death, terrible grief and disappointment in the beloved sisters and friends, and grievous tears from Jesus Himself. So what could be worth all that pain?

A clue may be found in Jesus explanation to His friends: "“Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe". Hmmm.... These disciples had seen many miracles and heard much truth. But the coming turn around (Lazarus' resurrection) was going to be faith strengthening - life changing. 

Evidently having our faith strengthened is worth more than we realize. It is worth pain and suffering because belief is the key to life - real life. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.'"

Lord hold us steady through necessary waves of pain and suffering. Hold us close enough to hear Your heartbeat. It only sounds like "love-love, love-love, love-love".