John 11:21-22 -- On Hope and Faith

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, 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."
John 11:21-22


The faith of Martha at this moment seems incredible--both to know that Christ could have prevented death and to know that Christ could bring her brother back four days after death. She goes on to confirm that she knows he is the prophesied Christ, the Son of God. She knew him well enough to know that he could do this, not necessarily that he would, but that he could if he chose to... and I think that is where she is coming from later in the chapter when she reminds him that he's been dead four days. She doesn't know if he just wants to see him, or if his talk about the resurrection is about something he intends to do now, or comfort about Lazarus being raised up eventually, after this life.

Significantly I think, she doesn't try to force her will on the situation, but waits for God's will. ... That's a hard thing, and perhaps during those four days she was tempted to think that Christ could or should have done more, or that his timing was off, or that something is fundamentally broken in the heavens if things like this can happen. I think we are tempted similarly when things don't go the way we would like them to. I also think though that during our personal times of deep grief, God has something incredibly miraculous in store for us as well. Maybe our sorrow will last more than 4 actual days, but like Martha, that sadness will be swallowed up in joy, and no matter how long it has been, it will seem brief.

Today, let's remember that God will do miracles in our lives, and he can turn even the deepest sorrows into joy. Let's have faith, and patience with his timing, which is perfect. Above all, let's trust in that hope that Christ offers us, knowing that soon or late, things will be okay again.