Believe

This devotional is Part 2 of a series focusing on John 11:1-44. I encourage you to begin reading at John 10:22.

Over and over in John chapter 11 and 10, Jesus said that he did his works, his miracles—the very resurrection of the dead—so that people would believe.

In chapter 10, those present at the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem said, If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus responded, I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe…

When Jesus was told that Lazarus was sick, he was in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan—the place where he was baptized by John the Baptist. There the people said, Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true. It then says, And in that place many believed in Jesus.

In explaining his reason for going back to Judea and within two miles of the unbelieving people who wanted him dead, Jesus said to his disciples, Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe…

Upon arriving in Lazarus’ town, also called Bethany, Jesus said to Martha, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?

Martha responded, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world. After the tomb stone was removed, Martha still did not fully understand and Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believeyou will see the glory of God?

Right before commanding Lazarus to come out of his tomb Jesus looked up and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.

Verbal witness is sufficient for some people to believe that Jesus is who he says he is. Others need miraculous works. Others of us believe and have unbelief, like Martha. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, Jesus is calling all of us to believe that he is the Messiah, the Son of God, the resurrection and the life, the light by whom we walk so that we will not stumble. 

Make your own confession today as Martha did, and pray the Lord help you to believe no matter what you face.