Read:

John 11:17-27

¹⁷ Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: ¹⁹ And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. ²⁰ Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. ²¹ Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. ²² But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. ²³ Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. ²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. ²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: ²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? ²⁷ She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

1 John 5:20

²⁰ And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Exhortation:

Martha, ever the practical and energetic of the two, was probably busy looking after her guests. Even though deep sorrow possessed her, life still must go on. Martha, hearing that Jesus was coming, went out to meet Him, while Mary remained in the house, probably prostrated with grief.

When Martha met Jesus, she made a very remarkable statement to him. If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  Her words expressed strong faith in Jesus’ power to heal. Martha was not blaming Jesus for not hurrying to come before Lazarus died, because she knew that Lazarus was probably dead by the time Jesus received the message. Martha, however, did not stop with this affirmation. She went on to say:  I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. These words can mean only one thing: Martha was asking Jesus for the raising of her brother. It was a stupendous request. He was often asked to heal the sick, but no one except Martha ever had the faith to expect Him to raise her brother who has been dead for several days. She knew that He had raised two others (the widow’s son and the daughter of Jairus) prior to this. She asked, therefore, not from blind and irresponsible optimism, but on the basis of Christ’s revelation about Himself. Her faith may have been limited in that she wavered later at the tomb, but the important thing is that she dared to ask!

Jesus than gave her some instruction. He wanted to make sure that she really understood who He was. When Jesus assured her that Lazarus would rise again, Martha affirmed her belief in the final resurrection of believers. Jesus then pointed out to her that resurrection power, whether at the last day or at the present moment, belongs to Him. To all of this Martha gave her sincere confession,  I believe. Having put her trust completely in Him as the God-man, the Saviour, she could repose full confidence in Him for whatever He might choose to do.

Thought:

In sadness, Jesus is our joy and hope.

PRAYER

Lord, I am ready to live or die, for You are my sure hope.