John 11:25–27: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'”

March 18th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus, was sick, so they sent word to Jesus because they knew Jesus could heal him. But Jesus did not come to them until after their brother had been dead and buried for 4 days. When He arrived, He told Martha that her brother would rise again, but she thought He was talking about the final resurrection. Jesus’ response to her was a deeply profound statement; He was giving Martha, and us, a panoramic view of life. Jesus was saying, “Yes Martha, you believe in a resurrection, but do you believe in continuing, eternal, age-abiding life?” It’s easier to believe that on some far-off, future day the Lord will come back and the dead will be raised, than it is to believe that today we can live for God. It really doesn’t take much faith to comfort people who are mourning by saying, “Well, you will see your loved ones someday.”

Martha knew from the Old Testament that there would be a resurrection from the dead. Her doctrine was great. She was very clear about the fact that Jesus was the Messiah that had been prophesied of in the Old Testament, and she believed that He was the Son of God. Martha loved and believed God, but she didn’t expect God the Son to do anything for her situation at that moment (she lacked faith). And she did not have any expectation of coming good (she lacked hope). But Jesus increased Martha’s faith and hope by raising her brother from the dead.

Do you believe Jesus’ promises? Are you able to believe He wants to do something good in your life today? Are you even now, this moment, able to expect God to do something good for you, so you can then be a blessing for someone else? I challenge you to ask Him and believe Him for that now.

“LORD, we want to be a blessing to someone else today, so fill us with Your life so we can share it with others today.”