20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
- John 11:20-27
I can’t begin to count the times that I’ve listened as pastors have rushed over this small section of the story of Lazarus’ resurrection in order to get to one of the “big themes” it contains (e.g. the resurrection of Lazarus, the compassion of our Lord, etc). And time after time, a brief comment is made about Martha’s great statement of faith in the Lord Jesus, despite her current circumstances.
But after reading the chapter over yesterday, I found myself asking: Is this an accurate portrayal of Martha’s response (vv. 20-27) to the death of her brother Lazarus?
Can I suggest that it isn’t? That perhaps in our rushing through the narrative to get to the “bigger themes” we miss the little details that give us a fuller character sketch than we might at first think is present?
Yes, Martha is a believer.
Yes, she does make great statements of faith (v. 24 & v. 27).
Her great statements of faith, however, are not situated in the present.
Martha believes that Lazarus will be raised “on the last day“, and that Jesus is the Son of God “was to come into the world” (as the NIV translates the end of v.17).
And presently,well, she seems to lack the same confidence.
In the face of this crisis, it almost seems as if she tries to take issues into her own hands.
28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”
Why did Martha secretly call for Mary?
When did Jesus call for Mary?
What was Martha up to?
Why is the Lord “troubled,” or “angered” (as some other translations render the Greek)?
Interpretations vary, but I believe it’s precisely because of the unbelief Martha showed in His ability to perform the miraculous at the present moment of crisis. [Not to mention the unbelief of the Jews who were comforting Mary (v. 37).]
Even at the moment the Lord is standing before the grave of Lazarus, ready to give an amazing display of His love and power, Martha says:
39 …“Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
Her “great statements of faith” (especially the one in v.22) are curiously absent here. Why? Because of the current crisis she faced? Because her faith was immature? Because she needed to see the Lord at work, rather than simply believe on/in His Word?
Where is our faith – in the past, present, or future?
Lest we forget:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
- Hebrews 13:8
Hiram, excellent thoughts. We need a present faith in God.
Not just a wishful hope of something.
Now faith is… says the writer to the Hebrews.
May the Lord give us all that present faith that accesses his provision and grace on an every day basis.