FOUR KIND OF FAITH

THIRD KIND OF FAITH: MARTHA

John 11 (NET)

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²⁴ Martha said, “I KNOW THAT HE WILL COME BACK TO LIFE AGAIN IN THE RESURRECTION AT THE LAST DAY.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, ²⁶ and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

MARTHA, LAZARUS’ SISTER

In the story of Martha found in the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John, we witness a remarkable display of faith intertwined with human doubt. Martha, a woman of deep devotion, found herself facing the death of her beloved brother, Lazarus. While she firmly believed in God's power and His ability to bring about resurrection, her faith wavered when it came to God's timing in the present moment.

Expressing her understanding of the future resurrection, Martha confidently declared, "I know that he will come back to life again in the resurrection at the last day" (John 11:24, NET). Her belief in God's ability to raise the dead was unshakable, but her struggle lay in reconciling her faith with the present reality of her brother's demise.

WHAT GOD CAN DO TOMORROW HE CAN DO IT TODAY.

It is in this moment of doubt and uncertainty that Jesus lovingly intervened. He responded to Martha's statement by saying, "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?" (John 11:25-26, NET). Jesus sought to expand Martha's perspective, revealing that He Himself was the embodiment of resurrection and life.

Jesus' words challenged Martha to not merely trust in a future event, but to embrace the present reality of His power. He invited her to place her faith in Him, acknowledging that through belief in Him, even in the face of physical death, one would experience eternal life that transcends earthly limitations.

Martha's struggle resonates with our own challenges today. We, too, often find ourselves grappling with the tension between our belief in God's ability to act and our doubts about His timing. Like Martha, we may trust in God's power, but struggle to reconcile it with our expectations of when and how He should work in our lives.

In moments of waiting and uncertainty, Martha's story encourages us to examine our own faith and embrace the truth that God's plans and timing are perfect. We are reminded that although we may long for immediate solutions and instant miracles, God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). His timing is not constrained by human limitations, and His purposes are always for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Martha's journey teaches us that doubt and questioning are not signs of weak faith, but opportunities for growth. It is through wrestling with our doubts that we can deepen our understanding of God's character and learn to trust Him more fully. We can find solace in the knowledge that God is patient and loving, even in the midst of our uncertainties.

While Martha initially struggled with the concept of God's power manifesting in the present, her story takes a beautiful turn. As we continue reading, we discover that Jesus, in a demonstration of His divine authority, raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44). This miraculous event reaffirms Martha's faith and serves as a powerful reminder that God's timing is never late; it is always perfect.

In our own lives, we may experience moments where we doubt God's ability to act in the present. However, Martha's story encourages us to persevere in faith and wait patiently for God's timing. It reminds us that God's promises are sure, and He is faithful to fulfill them in ways that exceed our expectations.

As we reflect on Martha's journey, let us learn from her initial doubt and ultimate faith. May we trust in God's power, knowing that He is fully capable of working miracles both in the future and in the present. Let us embrace the truth that our Heavenly Father doesn’t blame us for our doubt.

He didn’t condemn Martha but instead, he helped her to reach his power for that day.

Martha should have believed that what God can do tomorrow he can also do it today.

Believe God for your miracle today.

To be continued…