John 11:17-29
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 11:17-29 paying close attention to Martha’s actions and words.
Martha is most often portrayed as the harried hostess who complains to Jesus about her sister Mary’s lack of involvement in dinner preparations (Luke 10:38-42). But in today’s passage, John paints a very different picture of Martha as a woman of great faith.
It is Martha, who upon hearing that Jesus is near, goes out to meet him. And it is Martha who states the obvious to Jesus: “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” But Martha doesn’t stop there. She makes a statement that exposes here absolute trust in Jesus despite the bleakest of circumstances: “But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
Stop to contemplate the trust that Martha displays. She has no frame of reference for resurrection from the dead, but she has not given up hope in Jesus’ ability to intervene in this most heartbreaking circumstance.
Think back to a time when you suffered a great loss that was, by all accounts, irreversible. If you were a follower of Jesus at the time, how did you react to this loss? How was Jesus active in your life during this time of loss?
Read John 11:17-29 again focusing in on Jesus’ words to Martha.
Martha has known Jesus as a miracle worker, trusted friend and wise teacher, but now Jesus invites her to step outside her understanding and know him in a deeper, all-encompassing way. Jesus is more than God’s messenger sent to teach people about the final resurrection and lead them to life; Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
For Martha, it seems that the pieces of her faith click into place with this revelation of Jesus. She has always believed, but now her belief becomes a free fall into absolute faith beyond anything she can imagine.
Talk with Jesus about your own understanding of who he is.
Is it possible that Jesus is inviting you to a new level of belief and faith?
Spend a moment or two considering this question and discussing your thoughts with Jesus. Then get still and listen. Jesus may prompt you toward an action of some kind. If he does, be sure to make a plan for following through.
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