John 11:17-27

Be Still: Lord, I slow down, I stop in this moment, to encounter you in your Word. Amen.

Read: John 11:17-27

I am the resurrection and the life. 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? (vv 25,26)

Encounter: Jesus arrives in Bethany to a scene of desolation. Lazarus has died. Mary and Martha are devastated. News comes that Jesus has arrived — at last. Mary stays put, paralysed with grief. Martha rushes out to meet Jesus. 

In the previous account of Jesus at their house for supper, he gently reproves Martha for her domestic panic, while Mary sits at his feet drinking in his wisdom and grace. Here, it seems to me, Martha takes the right action. She takes her grief to Jesus and accosts him: 'Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know even now God will give you what you ask."

What do you think the emotions are behind these words? Frustration, anger, grief, disappointment in Jesus — but listen, is hope and faith straining through? '..even now God will give you what you ask.'

Jesus tells her Lazarus will rise again. Martha accepts this — it is part of Jewish theology (except for the Sadducees) that, one day, at the end of time, there will be resurrection of the dead. Jesus then makes his most amazing declaration: 'I am the Resurrection and the Life'. To grieving Martha, Jesus says, look, standing before you is Resurrection and Life, future glory is breaking into the present. New eternal life in me. He asks her: 'Do you believe this? and Martha replies 'Yes'.

There is now a dramatic pause in the story as Martha goes off to get Mary.

Apply: In a few days I will be hearing, at a funeral, those words I am the resurrection and the life. You may have heard them in the same context. But I don't suppose any minister then calls out: Do you believe this? Perhaps they should! It is the most important question in life or death. Do you believe this with your whole being? In his One Person, Jesus brings heaven and earth, future glory and present hope, together. Death overcome by Life.

Devote: Lord, I believe.