What Do You Believe Here?

Read

John 11:23-27 “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’”

Think

It is one thing to answer a question in a room where nothing is at stake. It is another to answer it when life has just hurt you. Saying “God is good” during a worship song can feel simple. Saying it after disappointment asks something deeper from you.

Jesus meets Martha in exactly that kind of moment. She is grieving, and Jesus starts talking with her about resurrection and life. Then he makes the conversation personal. He asks what she believes.

Jesus does not give Martha a complete explanation for the delay. He gives her himself. He tells her that resurrection is not only an event far in the future. He is the resurrection and the life. Her hope is anchored in a person, not in her ability to understand every detail.

That matters because we often want God to give us a map. We want to know why this happened, what will happen next, and how long the wait will last. Sometimes God gives direction. Other times he asks us to trust his character before we have the explanation. It is like walking a trail with a guide who knows the mountain when fog has covered the path. You may not see ten turns ahead, but you can stay close to the person who knows where he is going.

Your faith will eventually have moments where borrowed answers are not enough. What your parents believe, what your small group leader says, and what you heard in a message can help you. But there comes a point where you have to answer the question personally: Who do you believe Jesus is when life does not make sense?

Martha’s answer is not powerful because she has stopped hurting. Lazarus is still in the tomb when she speaks. Her faith exists before the situation changes. That is the kind of trust God can build in you. You do not need a perfect explanation before you choose to believe that Jesus is who he says he is. Your circumstances can still be unresolved while your heart begins to settle on who you trust.

Apply

Answer personally – Write one sentence that begins, “Jesus, even while I wait, I believe you are...” Use something Scripture teaches about him, then read that sentence out loud.

Pray

Jesus, I want my faith to be more than borrowed answers. Help me know who you are for myself. When I cannot see the whole path, keep me close to you. I believe you are trustworthy even while parts of my story are unresolved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.