Faith in the Midst of Death.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live. 26And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26 (MEV)

In John 11 we see our Lord Jesus Christ being told of Lazarus’ death. Someone whom scripture is clear Jesus cared a lot about. Jesus already knew of his death but here Martha meets him. She informs Him that Lazarus has died while speaking words that I can only imagine came from a hurting and wounded heart; “If you had been here he would not have died.” These are words of a hurting and wrestling soul. In the face of great pain and loss, Martha wrestles. She knows Christ’s power and knows He could have saved her brother. Yet Jesus delayed in coming. He purposefully delayed. Through great sorrow, she still trusts in who Christ is and His power.

Jesus speaks and proclaims His “I AM” statement. He speaks of the eternal life which he came to bring. His response to Martha’s sorrow was to reveal who He is. Here we find a marvelous truth, in our greatest sorrow, our greatest comfort is simply the person of Jesus. True comfort isn’t found in the resolution of our sorrow but in the nature of Christ present within our sorrow. After this response, Jesus ends with a question. “Do you believe this?” What happens next is one of the most beautiful responses in scripture. Martha utters what I am persuaded to be the sweetest words from mankind in all of scripture. “Yes, Lord; I Believe.” I would argue that no words of man can speak more life. This is my prayer, that I may behold my savior and say yes, Lord; I believe. In the face of great sorrow, I believe. In great humiliation, I believe. In blessings beyond measure, I believe. In immense poverty, I believe.

May my life be nothing more than this simple statement. Yes, Lord; I Believe.