Never Mind

John 11:21

In this chapter, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. Now Lazarus became ill, and Martha and her sister Mary sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delaying His coming until Lazarus was dead and in the grave for four days. Then He came to raise him from the dead, and found the limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.

1. Martha’s faith was limited. She said, Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died” (verse 21). The death of Lazarus would have meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believed that Jesus had the power to raise her brother up from the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ. Matthew 13:58 says, “And he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” Limited faith is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure.

2. Martha’s faith was fundamental. Jesus said, your brother will rise again (verse 23). These words were spoken to bring hope and faith in Martha; but instead she said, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (verse 24). Martha declared her fundamental faith in a great truth, but that is not enough. Jesus stated, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (verse 25). Jesus was saying that He had all power over life and death. Then He asked “believest thou this?” (verse 26). Martha evaded the question by stating her fundamental faith in her creed (verse 27). It is not enough to believe in a creed only; faith must go beyond your creed, to the living, all powerful Christ. Her faith limited the power of Christ. Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. And Jesus wept (verse 35). Jesus wept we He came to raise Lazarus from the dead and found limited fundamental faith only.

3. At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she consented to have the stone moved from the grave (verse 41). When Jesus first ordered the stone taken from the grave, Martha objected in unbelief (39). Then Jesus challenging her to believe, said, “Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God (verse 40). Martha believed and waited to see the glory of God, and she was not disappointed. We often hear that “seeing is believing,” but this is not so. You believe and then see. Faith comes before sight. Now Martha’s faith no longer limited the power of Christ. She consented to have the stone moved from the grave, and Jesus “cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth” (verse 43), and Lazarus was raised up. Don’t be satisfied with limited, fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God and reveals His glory.