Martha’s conversation with Jesus began when he finally made it into town. Lazarus had died and was buried. Jesus missed the funeral but was in town four days after the fact. They’d counted on Him to show up and heal Lazarus. But…
Martha met Jesus before He could get to the house. She went straight to the point. “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” She had complete confidence in Jesus that He had the power to heal Lazarus. That was obvious from Martha and Mary calling for Him to come in the first place. But their faith in Jesus was clearly conditional – Lazarus had to be alive to receive healing.
I found it interesting that after Martha reminded Jesus that Lazarus would still be alive if He’d come while he was alive, she stated, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.”
Hmm, on the surface, it sounds like the “right thing to say to Jesus”. He said, “Thy brother shall rise again.” She added,” I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” But I love this part, Jesus wasn’t talk about “in the last day.” He was referring to the present!
Although what she said was “correct,” she wasn’t of the same mindset as Jesus! She wouldn’t have countered Him when He told the crowd to move the stone if she had been. She wouldn’t have said, “Lord, by this time he stinks, he’s been dead four days.” He reminded her, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”
I thank the Lord for this portion of the conversation between Martha and Jesus because it highlights how easy it is to approach the Lord with the “correct language,” but still not embrace and/or understand what He means by His statements. Although we technically say the right thing, our hearts remain fixated on “If you had been here, Lord….”
Jesus knew Martha, Mary, and the rest of the crowd wouldn’t understand what He meant. Still, He continued guiding them through the process to the point of revelation, just as He said, “Thy brother shall rise again.”
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.35 Jesus wept.36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:20-40 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)