The most important decision

John 11:17-27

Do you recall what Jesus said when told that Lazarus was very ill, these are His words,  “This illness does not lead to death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”   Now picking up the story in verse 17, and when Jesus and his disciples come to Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem, they find that Lazarus has been in the tomb four days.  Now some may wonder, as did Martha and her sister Mary, why did Jesus not come earlier, yes even at this point His own disciples may be wondering why did we sit around and watch the sand blow, why did He not come and save His friend?   Jesus had already told His disciples the truth, but truth was not in keeping with their experiences, so they made an assumption based on experiences.

Listen to Martha’s remarks to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (Verse 21)  Now that may sound like she is angry with Jesus but that is not it at all; Martha is just stating her belief system, and verse 22 makes this very clear: “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”  What faith, and the question came into my mind, do I have that kind of faith?  That’s a great question to ponder on; but is your faith in Jesus in keeping with Martha’s faith?

We know that Martha has been exposed to Jesus, he has been in their home, they have seen the miracles Jesus has performed and she has not lost hope that even after four days in a tomb, Jesus can ask His Father and Lazarus will come back to life, or does she believe?  I believe the answer is yes, and no, yes she believes Jesus can do it, but then the no comes into play, but will He?  So Jesus tells her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”  The answer to that question is for all people, and the answer has to do with, will you be born twice and die only once?  Yes, born into Christ, given a living spirit, and live eternally with Christ.  Listen to Martha’s reply, “She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Now it is your turn, Jesus is saying to all people, and especially at this moment to you, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”  Your answer is the most important decision that you will ever make!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice