By Jennifer Waddle
“Jesus said to her, ‘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 NKJV)
One of the most touching stories of Jesus’ life and ministry was when He arrived on scene after Lazarus’ death. From a human standpoint, it seemed He had waited too long, missing the opportunity to heal His friend. Martha, Lazarus’ sister, saw Jesus on the road and ran to meet Him, saying, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
As I read about this painful encounter, I can’t help but wonder how many times we’ve dismissed the Lord’s ability to resurrect what seems lifeless in our own lives.
- Struggling marriages on the brink of divorce
- Financial hardships with no provision in sight
- Health issues that continue to be unhealed
- Loved ones running far from God
Many of these situations can seem final, unchangeable. But no matter how desperate our circumstances, we can learn from Martha who said, “I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:22)
What do you know to be true, my friend? What are you entrusting to Jesus to resurrect from the grave? Though it seems like He is delaying, we can trust His perfect timing. As Hebrews 10:37 says, “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.”
Imagine how the disciples felt after Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb. Those three days must have felt like an eternity! But on that glorious morning, at just the right time, the Son of God arose again! And it’s from this place of victory from which we now live.
Our ministry of loving and serving our Jewish brothers and sisters is empowered by the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. For this reason, we do not lose heart. We do not fret when it seems like the adversary is wining. Instead, we borrow from Martha’s faith, saying, “Even now, God will do it.”
This Easter, celebrate not only what God has done through the resurrection of His Son, but what He continues to do through us. We are not held down, buried, or forgotten. Instead, we rise again, day by day, in the resurrection power of Christ. May God bless you and your loved ones with renewed peace, provision, and purpose.
