New Beginnings - The Resurrection & The Life

 JOHN 11

John 11:17-27 (NIV)

"On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “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?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”"

The maths behind these events isn't difficult: one day for the messenger to find Jesus (during which Lazarus dies), two days of intentional delay, and one more day of travel to Bethany for Jesus and his disciples. Burials in the Middle East were not delayed since conditions led to quick deterioration of a body. Once the body was buried, the grieving went on for a few days.

Exchanges with people in deep grief are usually awkward. Martha heard that Jesus was approaching and felt compelled to share both her frustration and faith. Her greeting is not easy to understand fully. It is possible she hoped God would give Jesus whatever he asked and raise her brother to life, but her later comments don't seem to reflect that expectation. She may have been saying something like "I know my brother would have been healed if you had been here, and even though he died, I continue to believe in your special relationship with God". In that case, she would have been speaking about her own relationship with Jesus, not what she hoped he might still do for Lazarus.

Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and life", declaring himself Lord over both life and death. Any believer in Jesus will live--even those who experience physical death. Life in Jesus is eternal, and not even death can prevent it.

Jesus's gentle confrontation, "Do you believe this?" echoes across the generations to the present day. Martha's simple, direct response was unconditional faith. She didn't make her brother's situation a factor in her belief in Jesus.

Getting Personal

1. How do you apply Jesus's claims of resurrection and life to your own thoughts about death?
2. What would have been the outcome of this story if Martha's last statement had been. "I will believe if you raise my brother back to life?"
3. If Jesus asked you "Do you believe this?", what will your response be? 

Martha's declaration to Jesus--"You are the Messiah, the Son of God"--puts Jesus beyond the company of wise men and profound teachers. The Son of God requires our ultimate response because he is the only one we can trust.

Putting It Into Action

Echo Martha's declaration in your own prayer time: "You are the Messiah, the Son of God". Thank God that every prophetic word of Scripture is true: The promised Messiah did come into the world to be your Saviour.

Bible Verse

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken". 

Isaiah 25:7–8, NIV

Prayer

Lord our God, your kingdom is coming. Your help reaches us. However much we may suffer, we look to you, for you have given us your promise. You have promised that all shall go well with us. You have promised that while still on earth your people may have strength to trust in you and wait for you in patience and joy. So lay your hands upon us, O Lord our God, and let your redeeming strength be revealed in us. You know all our needs. You see into each heart and know how to help, as you have promised. Bless us and help us, and may your name be honoured among us. May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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