1 Corinthians 10:11 says, “…these were written for our examples.” God’s Word serves as a reminder of His promises and faithfulness towards us. Yes, sometimes we need a little reminder to help us take the steps of faith in our Christian lives.
Martha needed that little nudge as well. In John 11:40, God, Himself, spoke to Martha to remind her of His promises. She, too, needed a gentle reminder to encourage her to add another link in what Elizabeth George calls the ‘chain of faith’.
Jesus had promised in John 11:4 that the events involving Lazarus would not END in death. Martha was disappointed that Lazarus had died before Jesus arrived, yet she accepted God’s plan and purpose (11:22). She pledged her faith in God’s plan for the future (11:24). But, could she act on that faith right now- in the present?
Last week we saw that Jesus told Martha to have the stone removed (11:39). Martha’s initial response was, “But, Lord, by now he stinketh!” Had she failed the test?
Maybe we have had a similar response to a new or challenging plan for our lives. Maybe we have found ourselves saying, “But, Lord, I’m too old”, “I’m too young”, “But, I don’t think…”
What did Martha need to ‘give in’ and outwardly express her faith in the Messiah-Deliverer and grant ‘permission’ for Him to continue His plan? She needed a little nudge-a gentle reminder.
In John 11:40 we find that little nudge and the gentle reminder. I’m sure in our human thinking we almost imagine Jesus rolling His eyes, taking a big sigh, and with forced kindness, saying, “Martha, Have I not told you…?” But, no, I’m sure Jesus continued to be patient with her struggle of ‘getting it’ and her developing understanding, and nudged and reminded her in love.
Did He then place His hand gently on her shoulder and say, like we so often say to our own children, “Now, trust me-OK?”
In my mind, I can see Martha squeeze Mary’s hand, and I can hear her take that deep breath of surrender and say firmly, “Do it!”
How do we respond when faced with that defining moment in our lives? What do we do when it is scary and difficult to just surrender and say, “Ok, I’ll…..”
I recall the testimony of a dear friend, who, while mopping her kitchen floor, finally just dropped the mop, sat down on the wet floor, and cried, “Ok, Lord. I’ll go!”
So, what gets us to that point of eventual, complete surrender?
First of all, as mentioned earlier, events in Scripture were written to remind us of God’s promises and faithfulness. It is therefore necessary to spend time reading it! Secondly, the testimonies of dear, godly Christian friends can remind us of His promises and faithfulness in their lives. Thirdly, we need to take time to BE STILL AND KNOW the faithfulness of God in our own lives! The nudges and reminders are there. Squeeze someone’s hand, take a deep breath, and say, “OK, Lord~I'll Do it!”
Like Stephen Curtis Chapman says in one of his songs: "Sink or swim~I’m diving in!”
Roll away that stone!
Debbie
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