Scripture: John 11: 21-26
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[e] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
Scripture Commentary: Only Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.[e] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” Three times in the Bible, Jesus demonstrates his compassion and empathy for people while revealing his authority and power over death.
First, there was the only son of a widow who was being carried away for burial until Jesus touched him and said, “Arise.” Second, a father sought Jesus to heal his sick and only daughter but she died before he could make his request known. Jesus told him not to fear, only believe, and she shall be well. Jesus went to her home, took her hand and said, “Arise.” Third, Jesus was on his way to see Martha and Mary who had been mourning for four days over the death of Lazarus, their brother and Jesus’s beloved friend. They knew they would see their brother again in the resurrection of the last days, but Jesus, God’s only begotten son, knew differently. Jesus called out to Lazarus, commanding him to come out of the open tomb.
Don’t let fear overtake your faith.
Jesus reminds us not to let our fear overtake our faith in God. The widow was fearful about her survival with no husband or son to comfort her. The father faithfully sought Jesus, believing that only he could heal his daughter; however, fear rose in him when he heard that she had died. Jesus encouraged him not to give in to fear and doubt. The sisters also believed that Jesus could heal their sick brother, but they worried and feared each day that Jesus didn’t walk through the door.
We may become anxious and fearful over the highs and lows in life but God is faithful. He will not forsake us. Turn your fear into faith. God may not come when we want Him, but He is always right on time.
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