Coffeeville First Baptist Church By Craig Baker, Pastor 7/16/26

By Marie | July 14, 2026 |

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where things did not go the way you thought they should? When those times come; we often find ourselves asking the age-old question: “Why?” We think, “I raised my kids right. I did my part in the marriage. I worked hard at my job. I did this and that. I’ve done what I was supposed to do. Why are things not working out the way I want them to? Life just isn’t fair.” Often when things don not go our way, we are quick to blame the Lord for our heartache, disappointment, or brokenness; for life not being what we think it should be. We begin to ask questions like, “Lord, why would you let this happen to me? Lord, why wouldn’t you help me? Why weren’t you here for me? Why? Why? Why? I’ve loved you, Lord. I’ve served you, Lord. I’ve dedicated myself to your church. I’ve given my money and time and everything else to you. I’ve loved you! Why have you not done what I wanted you to?” People questioning the Lord when life does not go the way they think they should goes back pretty much to the beginning of humanity. One of the greatest examples is found in the New Testament in John 11:17-44.

In the beginning of John 11, we are told that Jesus received word from sisters Mary and Martha to come quickly to their home at Bethany because their brother and Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus was gravely ill. Without question, Jesus loves everyone, even those who oppose Him, but during His time on earth He had a special relationship with certain people. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were extra special to the Lord. They were His very close friends and followers. They had brought Him into their home in Bethany and provided for Him. They had dedicated their lives to Him. We are told Jesus loved them, and they loved Him. You would think when Jesus received word that Lazarus was deathly ill that He would have immediately gone to heal him, but we are told Jesus waited two days before setting out for Bethany. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, it was too late. Lazarus had been dead at least four days. As Jesus was nearing the town of Bethany, Martha quickly went out to meet Him. When she saw Jesus her first words to Him were a raw expression of sorrow, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again. Martha agrees saying she believed what Jesus had taught them about the resurrection in the last days. Martha knew all that, but the question was. “Jesus, what are you going to do about now? You didn’t come when we sent for you. You weren’t here, and now my brother is dead.”

Martha leaves Jesus to go get Mary. Martha obviously does not think that Jesus can do anything now. It has been four days. All hope of Lazarus returning is lost, so I wonder why she goes to get Mary. Maybe it was to be sure Jesus saw all the pain He caused for their family. I do not know, but the passage says she secretly goes to get Mary. Mary was in their home mourning with the Jews who had come from Jerusalem to mourn with them. When Mary got up, the mourners assumed she was going to the tomb to weep, so they followed her. Instead of going to the tomb, Mary went to meet Jesus. When she arrived she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Like Martha, Mary’s statement is more of a question to Jesus of why He did not come when they sent for Him. You say that you love us, where were you? Obviously, these two sisters have talked this over together. Why did Jesus let this happen? He had advance notice. He knew how sick Lazarus was. Jesus was not that far away. He had the power to heal their brother and keep Him from dying. He had done it for other people. Would not those close to Jesus be His first priority? Had He not healed Peter’s mother-in-law when she was very sick? Why did He help them and not us? If He had only been here, Lazarus would not be dead.

Any of those thoughts or questions sound familiar? Of course they do, because they are often the same type of responses we have when Jesus does not do what we think He should do.

Seeing Mary and the Jews weeping, Jesus became troubled. He wept and told them to take Him to Lazarus’ tomb. Some of the Jews also questioned why Jesus had not kept Lazarus from dying implying that there was no reason to go to the tomb because at this point it was too late. When they arrived at the tomb, Jesus told them to remove the stone sealing the tomb. Martha is quick to object reminding Jesus that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. To remove the stone at this point would be a gruesome experience. Still, Jesus says remove the stone, so they do. After lifting His eyes to Heaven and thanking the Father, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth,” and Lazarus obeyed. He came out of the tomb alive again.

I think we can all understand those feelings, those questions they had toward Jesus. Lazarus has died before his time. His family is hurting and grieving. They not only lost their brother, but they also lost the family provider. Mary and Martha do not know what they are going to do. They are confused and scared and hopeless and all they can think is, “Lord, if you had been here,” not realizing that He is standing right in front of them now. In Mary and Martha’s most desperate hour, Jesus was there. When their lives had gotten about as low as they could get, Jesus was there. I do not believe Jesus wept for Lazarus. Jesus had no reason to weep for Lazarus. Jesus wept for the people standing around Him who had no hope. The Savior of the World, the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the One who was and is and is to come is with them was standing before them. Yet, they were hopeless.

If you are a believer and you are in a season of hopelessness because life has beaten you down; your problems seem too big, your sorrow too great, your trouble too difficult, maybe you have been saying; “Lord, why didn’t you do something to keep this from happening?

Lord, if you had only been here!” Realize that when darkness and despair seem to be around every corner, when hopelessness assaults us, Jesus promised that He would never leave you nor forsake you.

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