In the village of Bethany, everything is in turmoil. People have streamed in from the great city of Jerusalem to comfort the two sisters, Martha and Mary, after the tragic passing of their brother, Lazarus. It’s only about an hour’s walk from Jerusalem, so it’s not much trouble for them to fulfil their duty. They are met with a sorrowful scene - everyone is weeping, wailing, and mourning. Lazarus was all these two women had left in life, and now he is gone, already buried, lost forever!

Someone rushes in and whispers into Martha’s ear: “Jesus is on His way!” She quickly gets up and hurries to meet her Master. A little way outside the village, she finds Him and greets Him with reproach: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!” Why didn’t He come sooner? She had sent a messenger in time to call for Him. Why had He delayed so long?

Peter wonders along with Martha. He feels guilty - perhaps he should have tried harder to persuade his Master to go immediately! Yet, Martha still secretly believes that Jesus can do something about the situation. Surely, all is not completely lost? But even in her wildest dreams, she is not prepared for what awaits her.

When Martha tells Jesus that she knows God will give Him whatever He asks, meaning she still holds on to some hope that Lazarus might be saved, doubt weighs heavier than her hope.

Jesus responds that Lazarus will rise from the dead. This thought is too much for Martha - it cannot possibly be true! Her brother has been dead for four days! His body has already begun to decay in the damp rock tomb! If he were to be brought back to life, his body would have to be completely restored. Only God, the Creator, could do such a thing! No, that is totally impossible! Oh yes, she knows that one day, at the resurrection, he will live again. All of God’s children will rise when the final judgment comes. She believes that - she has been taught that since childhood.

Jesus turns to Martha and looks her in the eyes. What He says to her is one of the greatest words of comfort that you and I could ever receive:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

These are not just words of comfort for Martha about her brother, but a dramatic declaration that echoes through the halls of heaven.

“Do you believe this?” Peter hears the words ring in his ears!
“Do you believe this?” Jesus asks you and me today.

If you believe this statement, it does not automatically mean that you have eternal life. The most important thing is that you believe in Jesus! Do you have a relationship with Him? Have you told Him that you believe in Him unconditionally and that He is your Saviour?

What exactly does Jesus’ declaration mean? Yesterday, we clearly saw that death is not the end of the road for a believer but rather the beginning of a brand-new life - one where the terror of death no longer has any power. We saw that death is merely the gateway to this wonderful life with Jesus, where there is no more sickness, ageing, or pain, and where sin is completely absent.

But back to the story: Martha answers Jesus with an uncertain “Yes, Lord…” Yes, she knows that Lazarus will live one day, but for now, he is dead. But then Martha surprises everyone - she makes an unshakable confession of faith in Jesus. It is the most profound declaration of faith in the entire Gospel of John:

“Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Peter turns pale. Isn’t this exactly what he has confessed about Jesus? And does he truly believe it himself?

Could anyone have stated it more clearly? Even the learned scribes, who had studied the Scriptures for years and read every prophecy about Jesus, failed to see what this simple, uneducated woman saw. But whether Martha fully understood what she had just confessed remains uncertain - later, we will see that she tries to stop Jesus when He wants to open Lazarus’ tomb.

Jesus does not go further into the village. He remains outside Bethany. Perhaps the wailing mourners gathered around Mary are not to His liking. So Martha quietly whispers to Mary that Jesus has arrived. She tries to slip away unnoticed, but the grieving crowd follows her, thinking she is going to the tomb to weep. But that is not where she is going - her greatest Comfort has arrived, and she falls at His feet.

“Lord, if You had been here...” she reproaches Him.

How often do we seek comfort from Jesus, only to reproach Him: “Lord, if only You had stepped in on time…”? I speak from experience - I have done this so many times in my life. And later, in shame, I have had to say to Him: “Lord, I am so sorry - I didn’t realise what You were planning for me.”

Will we ever learn to trust Jesus unconditionally in every aspect of our lives?

Prayer:

Lord, today I ask that You help me to have full, unconditional trust in You. You are almighty - with You, nothing is impossible. But I also realise that Your thoughts are far greater than mine!