Do We Believe?

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26 KJV)

Martha had gone to meet Jesus, while Mary sat still in the house. What a reversal from the image of Martha too tied to housework to listen to Jesus and Mary sitting at His feet.. Martha told Jesus that she knew if He had been there, her brother would not have died. And that she knew whatever He asked, God would supply.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. (John 11:23 KJV)

That she didn’t doubt. She believed in the resurrection at the last day – it was after that affirmation when Christ asked if she believed He was the resurrection. She confirmed it again.

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11:27 KJV)

Some would say that Jesus never claimed to be Christ, and that the title was given to him by disciples after He died. His words refute this, right here.

Some expect similar signs before they could answer the question given Martha. Too often the loss of a loved one hacks away at a person’s faith. They arrive at a slightly different logic than Martha and Mary, saying “If there were a God, my loved one would not have died in this horrible way!!”

We forget what Jesus said.

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:40 KJV)

We’ve been taught by advertisers that we want it now. We want it our way or not at all. We forget.

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22 KJV)

Though we’ve been told how to wait, what to do, We forget.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:4-5 KJV)

All we need to do is outlined for us. Then shall we see the glory of God.

"The Raising of Lazarus", Polychrome clay statues and frescos, Chapel XVII, The Raising of Lazarus , statues attributed to Bartolomeo Badarelllo (ca. 1589) and Michele Prestinari, frescoes by Gian Giacomo Testa (1582), detail of the statue of Christ. Sacro Monte di Varallo, Varallo Sesia, Italy (Wiki Commons)