Martha, Martha

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25-26)

        If you recall the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, then you would remember the sister, Martha, to whom Jesus spoke the words above. When the stone covering the tomb was rolled away, the stench of death assaulted her nostrils, confirming the gruesome reality of death. Rooted to her spot, Martha gaped in horror mingled with wonder after Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth. "What would happen?" she may have pondered, "Is this for real?"

    Imagine the irrevocable shock she experienced when she saw her bound brother stepping out into the sunlight as Jesus ordered, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

    Though the Scriptures make no mention of Martha being present in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified, I wonder what she would have thought as she puzzled over His death, recalling His words, "I am the resurrection and the life." How could He have raised Lazarus only to now be the One in the tomb? What of the promise He had made about never dying?

    I imagine Jesus, who knows the contents of the heart, chiding her softly: "Martha, Martha, did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40, emphasis added)

    What do you believe? What does Jesus mean to you? Was He just a prophet who spoke memorable adages to live by? Or was He the Son of God who laid down His life for sinners, only to take it back up again, leaving behind a tidy pile of grave clothes? 

    What happened on that first day of the week in Jerusalem that day changed everything. It was more than just a supernatural event. The resurrection of Jesus Christ claimed the victory over the grave for all who believe. 

    Getting back to Martha, imagine if she were one of the five hundred to whom Jesus appeared before His ascension. Would there be any ceiling on her joy? Should we have any limits on ours?

    Take off the grave clothes! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth." Isaiah 25: 7-8