If Jesus sat down with us for some one-on-one time, what would we ask Him? More importantly, how would we respond to His questions?
Knowing He is omniscient God, the Living Word of God [John 1:1-3] who knows the “thoughts and intents of the heart” [Hebrews 4:12], compels us to answer honestly and fully. No hiding, deflecting, or excusing. Just honest answers.
John’s Gospel records several questions Jesus asked in His earthly ministry. By personally considering each of His questions, we face His same probing truth. By responding truthfully, may we be drawn into a more intimate walk with Him.
12th Question – Do You Believe I am the Resurrection and the Life?
In the middle of a funeral, Jesus asked a most sensitive and pertinent question:
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” [John 11:20-21, 25-26, bold text added]
Jesus loved Lazarus, Martha, and Mary [John 11:5]. As a dear friend of the family, He probably stayed with them often in His travels. Naturally, when Lazarus fell ill, they sent for Jesus. He had healed many people—surely, He would rush to heal Lazarus.
Yet, Jesus deliberately waited two days. Being sovereign, He already knew how things would play out. But Martha and Mary didn’t. They asked for Jesus’ help, then waited in vain as Lazarus grew worse and finally died.
Imagine their heartbreak and frustration. They trusted Jesus to intervene; they knew He could heal Lazarus. Their request was seemingly a no-brainer. Why didn’t He come? What was more important than them—or Lazarus’ life? How could Jesus let them down like this?
Response
In His sovereign deity, Jesus acted as and when He did so people would believe in Him [John 11:42]. Yes, many had witnessed His healings. Yet, raising someone from the dead—whose body had already started decomposing? That confirmed He was the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the second person in the divine Trinity.
However, in His full humanity, Jesus experienced the grief and heartbreak at the death of His dear friend [John 11:33-35]. As fully human, He understands our disappointment, frustration, heartache—and doubt. He is well acquainted with grief and sorrow [Isaiah 53:3-4]. He sympathizes with our weaknesses [Hebrews 4:15].
And He asks us to trust Him—even when all seems lost when despair overwhelms our souls, and doubt assails our minds. “Do you believe in Who I am? Do you trust my sovereign timing?”
His question speaks to the foundation of our faith. Genuine faith stares at the humanly impossible and still believes. Authentic faith arises from the rubble of doubt, despair, and disappointment to echo Martha’s response, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God” [John 11:27].
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens
Featured Image by Gisela Merkuur from Pixabay
