Martha

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Martha

Faith     Belief

Rise     Awaken     Promise

I Am The Resurrection

Spirit-Dwelling

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 11:20 to 27

When Martha heard that Jesus was approaching, she came out to meet Him; but Mary remained at their home. 

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you were here, my brother would not have died. I know that if you ask anything of God even now, God will do it for you."

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." 

Martha said to Him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the final day."

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Martha said, "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Reflection

We can all imagine what Martha is feeling as she goes out to meet Jesus. She is devastated at the loss of her brother. She is grieving.

She is excited, however, when she hears that Jesus is coming. So eager that she leaves her sister, Mary, at home and goes out to meet Him.

She was hoping that He would come. She knew how much Jesus loved Lazarus and believed that Jesus could have healed him if He had come earlier.

We know that it was risky for Jesus to make this journey. Some of the Jewish religious authorities wanted to arrest Him. That did not stop Jesus.

He realizes that this death will lead to God being glorified. He knows that God has the power over life and death and that He is one with God. He tells Martha that He is the resurrection and the life.

Martha, even in her grieving, believes that Jesus is the Messiah. She says "Yes" to Jesus. She recognizes something special in Him. She has faith!

Martha goes from questioning why Jesus had not come sooner to believing that He is the Son of God. His words touch something deep within her. 

His words are very powerful. He is making a promise to Martha and through her to all of us---if you believe in me you will never die. You will live forever. 

It is an amazing promise. One that only God can make. 

That promise leads Martha to totally embrace Jesus in a deep act of faith and trust. She gave herself to Jesus in Love.

Her mourning would end.

Her grief would be no more.

Life forever had come to her and to Lazarus.

And to us!

1. What are your feelings about Martha?

2. What does Jesus mean when He says that He is the resurrection and the life?

3. Why does Mary believe in Jesus even before He raises Lazarus from the dead?

4. Why does Jesus want to give you life forever?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?