Hope Comes From Truth

If you had been here…John 11:21

Sometimes we forget the power of the resurrection. In her grief, Martha met Jesus on the road. There she confronted Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Oh, how many times we have prayed the same way. “Lord, if You had….!” 

Did Martha make Jesus angry? Apparently not. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Verse 23. Notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say, “How dare you question me?” or “Just who do you think you are talking to?” But rather He simply assured her of what we all know to be true, those we have lost will rise again. We will see them again. We will be together again. That is the power of the resurrection.

Martha knew this, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Verse 24. Like us, Martha knew there is a day coming when all will rise from the dead. But knowing in one’s mind, does not always heal one’s broken heart. 

Jesus could have healed Lazarus, just like He had healed so many others. Martha knew this. We know this. Why else would we pray so earnestly? But He did not heal him. Instead, He brought him back to life. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” Verse 43. And Lazarus came forth.

We must remember Jesus is life, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, she shall live.” Verse 25. We should take real comfort in these words. God does not get angry with us when we get angry with Him. But there is no comfort in anger. Real comfort comes from the assurance of the resurrection. We will see them again. Do you believe this?