Page 11 - January 2025 - Truth & Tidings

cern in the early days of the Church (Act and actions. Martha’s faith would now be
6:1-6) and continued to be encouraged in tested at the tomb.
the epistles. However, maintaining and The Lord’s command to remove the
developing physical, corruptible things stone was met with a sharp protest from
is never more important than nourishing our dear Martha (v39). A practical road-
spiritual and eternal things (2Co 4:16,18). block had arisen, and her “take control”
Like Mary sitting at His feet, hearing the mode was activated. But this was inconsis-
Word of God in communion with Christ tent with her confession moments earlier.
feeds the inward man and should come She said she believed in His power. She
second to no other activity. said she believed in resurrection. She even
Confidence Tested in Sorrow said she believed that He was the Son of
God. So, why oppose His desire to remove
(John 11:1-44) the stone? Like many of us, Martha had
“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sis- not yet made the connection between
ter, and Lazarus” (v5). With these words, the clear conviction of what she knew
we are assured that Jesus' love for this and the casting of care upon the One she
woman was never doubted. In a time of knew. Indeed, this is the case for us all.
illness and death, she would face many We are clear and confident in the assembly
uncertainties, but her relationship to the gatherings and in our reading chairs, but
Man of Sorrows was never in question; He when it’s time for that faith to work out
loved her. Why, then, this loss and grief? in adversity, we let the difficulty override
Martha’s confidence in His ability our dependence. Just like Martha, when
wasn’t an issue, but her concern about His we see the problem, we lose sight of His
inaction was. Her “take control” mindset power.
couldn’t see any practical reason for the In reminding her of His previous words
Lord not to intervene. However, a close (v40), the Lord was not just rebuking her
reading reveals three purposes for the obstinance but reinforcing a principle. He
death of Lazarus: had already told her things, and now He
1. For the glory of God and His Son (v4) would act consistent with His word. The
2. For the strengthening of the disciples’ woman accustomed to organized control
faith (v15) watched helplessly as the Lord accom-
3. To produce faith in the onlookers at plished something outside her influence.
the tomb (v42) In Lazarus’ resurrection, the Lord took
Furthermore, Martha was very clear Martha’s armchair faith, improved its
about who and what she believed. Two character and increased it.
times we are told what she knew. Verses We can relate to Martha because of
22 and 24 indicate that she had confidence the comfort that comes with feeling in
in the Lord's authority and that she expect- control, and like with her, the Lord may
ed a future resurrection. She would even have to bring us through challenging
say she believed His messiahship claims circumstances that transform our faith’s
(v27). But how would that knowledge character. May He help us look beyond the
and faith play out practically? For biblical practical problems to know His purpose
faith isn’t complete with just knowing; in our circumstances, peace in our sorrow
faith forms the foundation for attitudes and power in our lives.

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