Chapter 5: Martha

When word reached the house that Jesus was approaching Bethany, Martha stood up immediately and went out to meet Him. Mary stayed inside, sitting with the mourners who had come to grieve with them.

She found Jesus on the road before He even reached the village. Four days of grief, waiting, and silence from the one person she believed could have stopped all of it came out in a single sentence.

MARTHA“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”— John 11:21-22

That was not an accusation. It was faith spoken through pain.

JESUS“Your brother will rise again.”— John 11:23

MARTHA“I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”— John 11:24

JESUS“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”— John 11:25-26

Martha was thinking about a resurrection that would happen someday at the end of history. Jesus redirected her. He was not pointing to a future event. He was declaring that He himself was the source of life over death, and that death had no permanent authority over anyone connected to Him.

Then He asked her one question.

JESUS“Do you believe this?”— John 11:26

Martha answered before she had seen a single thing.

MARTHA“Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”— John 11:27