John 11:21-26
““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.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?””
John 11:21-26 NIV
You will never perish. Did you catch that promise embedded in Jesus words? Jesus says, Lazarus will be raised, those whose bodies die will be raised to live again and for those of us who believe in him, our true selves will never die. We readily accept the first two, but most of us have never really grasped the third one.
However, Paul tells us that when we are baptized, we share in Jesus death and die to sin. That means we've died the only death that truly matters because now we are alive to God in Christ Jesus. My life, your life and His life are fused. His future is our future. His glory will be our glory. His resurrection is our resurrection.
Nothing in the life of a Christian happens without a purpose and every event that takes place, whether good or ill, is used by God for our spiritual growth and eternal benefit. During our sojourn on earth, we are called to mature in the faith and to grow in grace, and God takes all the circumstances of life as an opportunity to develop our trust in Him so that we may discover a little more of His gracious character, His omnipotent power, His omniscient wisdom, His unfailing righteousness, His unapproachable holiness, and His unconditional love.
Martha demonstrated her deep trust in God's Word, for she had an assurance that her brother would be resurrected in the end times. She had come to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah Who would save His people from their sins, but she had not yet recognised that she was addressing the incarnate Son of God Who created all things, and Who is before all things. She was yet to discover that Jesus is incarnate God; the One Who holds all things together by His almighty power; the One in Whom is life everlasting.
Martha's faith was expanded as she learned that she was to look to Jesus every moment of her life, from that day forward, as her ever present help in time of trouble, and not simply to trust God with a future programmed that will one day be accomplished.
Let us never forget that however small our faith may be, God is working in us every day to strengthen our trust in Him so that we may grow in grace and learn to depend on Him, no matter what circumstances we may have to face. His Word stands fast today, and His Word stands fast forever.
Father, thank You for this day and these earth shattering words, spoken to the grieving sister of Lazarus. Father, thank You that Jesus used these words to develop Martha's faith and to deepen her dependence upon Him. Please open the floodgates of heaven and rain down Your abundant blessings upon my friends and family today. Lord help us never to forget that however small our faith may be, you are working in us every day to strengthen our trust in You so that we may grow in grace and learn to depend on You, no matter what circumstances we may have to face. Lord, use us to be someone’s blessing today. Be a blessing.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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