While he lived on earth, Jesus was good friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, who were siblings. Shortly before Jesus was arrested, he learned that Lazarus was sick. Everyone thought that Jesus would immediately go to Lazarus and heal him, but Jesus waited for two days. Even his disciples wondered why he was waiting. Jesus told them, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” But in the meantime, Lazarus died…
When Jesus finally got close to Lazarus’ house, Martha ran out to meet Him. How do you think she felt, knowing that Jesus had the power to heal people but that he had delayed coming? She said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!”
“I am the resurrection and the life,” replied Jesus. “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?”
Martha answered, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
A few minutes later, Jesus went to Lazarus’ tomb and called him back from the dead. Lazarus walked out of the tomb, still wrapped in the burial cloths.
When Martha met Jesus in front of her house, she was sad, hurt, and confused. She didn’t see that Jesus had an even greater plan than healing a sick person: He wanted to show that His power extended even into death. Jesus asked Martha to trust Him, to believe that He was more powerful than her circumstances. After she put words to her faith, He raised Lazarus. Jesus has the power to give life. What will you say to Him today?
“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:6
