Day 2 — Martha: Worship in Suffering
Of the sisters Mary and Martha, Mary is typically praised, and Martha is often chided. Yet in John 11, we see Martha’s faith on full display.
Listen to grieving Martha’s faith:
John 11:17–22
“Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’”
Martha is suffering through the reality that her brother is dead. There is no question. He has been in the tomb for four days. Any misdiagnosis can be ruled out at this point.
Yet it is in this state that Martha confesses that if Jesus had been there, things could have been different. But she doesn’t stop there. “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
The reality in front of Martha is devastating, but she still trusts Jesus. We are not told that she expects him to raise Lazarus that day. We are shown that even in her grief, she believes in who he is.
Furthermore, it is Martha who makes the great confession in John 11:27:
“Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Both sisters know Jesus could have healed their brother. Martha’s words remind us that faith can still say, “Even now,” when the situation seems hopeless.
While she makes this confession, she still struggles to understand. As they stand at the burial cave, Martha warns of the foul odor that will escape when the stone is moved. She knows the reality of death, and she is still learning the fullness of Jesus’ power.
Her faith is real, even while her understanding is incomplete.
What situation feels too impossible for Jesus to work in?
Is it a broken relationship, a financial pit, a career dead end, a burned bridge, or a debilitating health problem?
The Jesus who called Lazarus from the grave is able to work in your situation. We can bring him our needs while trusting his wisdom about how he answers.
What impossible issue do you need to bring to God?
