“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.”” John 11:17-27
When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has already been dead four days. Martha goes out to meet Him, her words honest and heavy: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” It’s a statement of both grief and belief. She doesn’t accuse—she laments. And even in her sorrow, she adds, “But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask.”
“Before we know what Jesus is doing, circumstances can look all wrong. And we are tempted to interpret God’s apparent inaction as unloving, when in fact God is loving us in the most profound way he possibly can.” John Bloom, “When Jesus Makes You Wait in Pain”, desiringgod.org
Jesus tells her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha affirms her faith in the future resurrection, but Jesus takes it deeper: “I am the resurrection and the life.” He shifts her hope from a distant event to a present person. Life isn’t just something Jesus gives—it’s who He is. Belief in Him means death never has the final word.
Jesus doesn’t rush Martha past her pain. He gently anchors her faith in who He is right now.
Something to prayerfully consider: Do I believe Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life—not just someday, but in my present pain?
