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In this week's episode, the final episode from the “Faith Full: Extraordinary Women of the Bible” series, we talk about Martha.
We recognize Martha as a worrywart, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. But on today’s podcast, we would love for there to be a change in perspective of Martha by the time we wrap up the episode!
In John 11, Jesus specifically goes out of his way to encounter Martha. Chronologically, this encounter is AFTER He finds her stewing about Mary not helping her in the kitchen.
John 11 shows how pursuing Jesus was of Martha, how accepting He was of her, but also how He wasn't going to let her remain in the worrisome state she was in.
And this is the shepherd pursuing His sheep. When you read this chapter with that background and understanding, it changes everything… just as it changes Martha, as we will see.
Jesus loved Martha.
He said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though, Shall he live? And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Jesus is really calling out the faith in Martha.
He goes on to promise her: If you will believe me, if you will put your faith in me, you will see the glory of God. And that it's true for all of us. When we put our faith in God, we get front row seats to His glory.
There was no guarantee as to what the glory was. And yet when we actively put our faith in Christ, we are promised to see His glory in some way.
We also talk about the shortest verse in the Bible: John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” The context of the verse is precious!
Jesus knew His power to overcome, and He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. So why was He crying? Is He weeping over the loss of Lazarus? When He knows he's about to raise him from death?
He's weeping because of his love for Mary and Martha and all of the people that are gathered crying.
God knows our future. We even know our eventual futures because if we are trusting in Him, we will live forever with Him one day.
Yet there is still weeping in this life. There is still pain. There is still hardship. There is still trouble. We're promised that.
But we have a Christ….we have a father… we have a Jesus who weeps with us and He waits to intervene because He loves us.
Weeping with others can be such a powerful gift to give, as Jesus demonstrated here for his friends. It's great to rejoice and it's great to share promises and truths that are encouraging, but also just sitting there and giving that grief back is a blessing too.
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