Moving truth 18 inches from the head to the heart is challenging. If someone’s faith is only intellectual, he or she will be blinded to His work. Mary and Martha had a similar difficulty believing Jesus would raise their brother, Lazarus, from the dead. When something seems hopeless, is your faith active and living so you believe that God will supernaturally transform you, another person or situation?
Mary and Martha told Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was sick. Jesus said his sickness would not result in death, but glorify the Son of God. Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed two days longer. When the disciples tried to discourage Jesus from going to Judea fearing He would be stoned, He said that if anyone saw the light of the world, they would not stumble. He told His disciples that Lazarus died but would go where he was so they could believe (John 11:1-16). Knowing Jesus as the light of the word moves faith from the head to the heart and from the natural to the supernatural.
When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. Martha said to Jesus that if “You had been there, my brother would not have died.” Jesus said Lazarus would rise again since He is the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Him will live even if he dies. When Jesus asked Martha if she believed this, she said He is the Christ, the Son of God. She called Mary and said secretly that the Teacher was asking for her (John 11:17-29). Jesus brings life to hopeless situations.
Mary fell at Jesus’ feet and said if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled when He saw Mary and the Jews wailing. Jesus wept when He saw where Lazarus was laid. The Jews noticed how He loved Lazarus. Others wondered why Jesus hadn’t prevented Lazarus death since He opened the eyes of the blind (John 11:30-37). Jesus’ love moves Him emotionally to act on your behalf.
Jesus, deeply moved within, said, “Remove the stone.” Martha said there would be a stench since Lazarus was dead four days. Jesus said, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Jesus thanked the Father for hearing Him always and requested that everyone standing would believe that God sent Him. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” He arose and told them to unbind Lazarus and let him go (John 11:38-44). Jesus transforms and removes obstacles from hopeless situations.
Many Jews believed in Jesus, but some went to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did (John 11:45-46). People either believe or reject God’s power to transform hopeless situations.
The religious leaders convened a council asking what they should they do since Jesus was performing many signs. They were concerned that if all men believed in Him, the Romans would take away their place and nation. Caiaphas, the high priest, prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation to gather the children of God scattered abroad. They planned from that day to kill Jesus (John 11:47-53). People reject Jesus when they feel threatened about losing power, control and position in the world.
Jesus no longer walked publicly among the Jews, but traveled to Ephraim near the wilderness where He stayed with the disciples. The chief priests and Pharisees gave orders for anyone to report whether they saw Jesus at the Passover so they could seize Him (John 11:54-57). Jesus abides with those who transfer power, control and position from themselves to Him.
This passage provides clues on how to have living faith:
1. Believe that God works supernaturally (John 11:1-16)
2. Believe that God bring life to hopeless situations (John 11:17-29)
3. Believe that Jesus’ love moves Him emotionally to act on your behalf (John 11:30-37)
4. Believe that Jesus transforms and removes obstacles from hopeless situations (John 11:38-44)
5. Believe that Jesus abides when you transfer power, control and position from yourself to Christ (John 11:54-57)
