Life that Does Not End

Jesus said, "... he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (John 11:25-26)."  This statement was made to Martha after her brother Lazarus' death.  Jesus had often visit their home in Bethany, but He was not there when Lazarus became seriously ill.  Mary and Martha, sisters, sent word to Jesus, which He did receive, regarding Lazarus' illness, desiring that He would come and heal Lazarus.  Jesus used this opportunity as He did so many others to teach His disciples, Mary and Martha, the Jews who had gathered and us about resurrection and living forever.  Lazarus' death was an occasion for the revelation of the glory of God.

Although we know that God knows all and is in control of all things, our spirit is sometimes grieved because of the events surrounding our lives, especially when there is a death of a close loved one.  We maybe perplexed as Mary and Martha were at Jesus delay to come or the limitations imposed upon life through death.  The Spirit of God calls us to transcend from loving, serving, and "being with" to loving and serving regardless of the cost or circumstance.  We can see from verses 20 that, Mary and Martha handled death differently, even the when and how to talk matters over with Jesus.  Martha went out to meet Jesus when she heard He was coming while Mary stayed in the house and continues to mourn.  Martha's faith and belief in Jesus led her to say unto Him, "... Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee (verse 21-22)."  In our attempt to rationalize death, over which we have no control, or who or how it could have been prevented, we should place our trust in God under His love and power.

When Jesus came, Lazarus had been dead four days, yet His reply to Martha was "Thy brother shall rise again (verse 23)."  In Martha's replied to Jesus do you think she fully understood what Jesus meant?  Jesus reply, "I am the resurrection and the life" solidifies that God's power over life and death is shared with Him. Martha accepted and confessed her faith in Jesus that He is the Christ and the Son of God.  The truth is that human suffering and death should not be obstacles to the joy and peace that God desires for us. Jesus power gives life to the physically and spiritually dead.  He conquered death, and because He did we can have salvation and live eternally.