Believe and Live!

Well, Jesus had asked the question, “Martha, do you believe?” We will examine her response shortly. But first let’s consider John’s purpose for his gospel and what role chapter 11 has in fulfilling that purpose. What a lovely story it becomes! The story of Lazarus is not a story of grief and sadness. It is a lesson of hope and power. Hope and power that can only come from The One in whom Martha puts her trust.

We have seen from previous posts that both the disciples (verses 11-12) and Martha (verses 21-24) had trouble ‘getting it’. Is it any wonder that we, too, have trouble ‘getting it’? It is for this purpose that the Gospel of John was written.

 Warren Wiersbe, in his book Be Alive: John 1-12, believes the theme of this gospel to be “Jesus is the Christ: Believe and Live!” He even uses the exclamation mark! What a good choice for the theme~~Jesus is the Christ: Believe and Live! Yes, it bears repeating! John proclaimed all throughout his gospel that Jesus is the Christ. Each illustration challenges the reader to BELIEVE and LIVE!  In John 10:10, Jesus states, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Is it any wonder, then, that Wiersbe also chose the following as the key verse of John’s Gospel?  Notice the words of John 20:30-31:

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Let’s return now to John 11. Remember last time (when our brain hurt) Jesus had claimed to be the Resurrection and the Life, and that all who believe in Him will live (verses 25-26). He then asked Martha THE question, “Do you believe?”

Martha’s response, as sweet to Jesus’ ears, as her last response in verse 22, was “Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

In her declaration of belief, Martha confessed three things (Edwin A. Blum from Bible Knowledge Commentary).  First of all, she confessed Him as Christ, or as the Messiah. As a Jew, this was probably the most important claim she could have made. The Jews were looking for the Messiah to come. Very few believed He was already there among them. So much of Jesus’ earthly ministry was an effort to reach His own people. But, they didn’t believe. But Martha did! Next, she acknowledged Him as the Son of God. This was also a concept the Jews refused to accept. Finally, her belief that He was the One Who has come into the world, acknowledged Jesus as the Coming One (John 12:13). She recognized Him as the Coming Deliverer. Once again, as a Jew, Martha was making some mighty strong claims!

As we continue, let’s take a minute to consider how the word believe is used in the New Testament. The word means to be convinced of something in such a way as to produce faith (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary)~even if you don’t ‘get it’, don’t fully understand it, or if you lack tangible evidence, as described in Hebrews 11:1 (my addition). It is used in the perfect tense which indicates “a fixed and settled faith” (Wiersbe). In English she would have proclaimed, “I believe, and I will continue to believe.” 

Martha’s declaration of belief may be also been worded as follows, “I now believe, and will always believe, that you are the Messiah, God's Son, who has come to do the will of God.”  These were words of complete surrender and acceptance to the circumstances she faced.

What about you? Have you made such a declaration of belief? Does your life show it?

Are you ready to make Martha’s declaration of belief? Please comment or post a facebook inbox if you are or have any additional questions. This is such an important question to answer!

By the way, what wonderful timing that this blog fell on the week of Easter!  The life we have in Christ is based on the power of His resurrection!

BELIEVE and LIVE!

Debbie