Jesus is coming! Martha hurried out to meet Him, her heart truly ambivalent. She had been slumped in sorrow for days, mourning the great loss of her brother.
On the other side, Jesus was coming! She knew she’d feel better once she spent time with Him.
At His approach, she poured her heart: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask.” (John 11:21-22)
Jesus assured her that her brother would rise again. Martha affirmed her faith by acknowledging she knew he would rise on resurrection day.
Jesus explained who He is and asked if she believed. Martha affirmed her faith.
This scene opened with Martha’s heart hurting. Grief could have blinded her, embittered her, and bid her to abandon her faith. When faced with events they would not author, many people refuse to trust God.
Instead, she allowed her heart to feel both grief for her great loss and hope in who Jesus is.
She knew He could have stopped it.
She knew He could still give her whatever He wished, He had only to speak the words. Even through her grief, she believed wholeheartedly in God and His Son, Jesus.
When at your wit’s end, go back to what you do know; affirm your faith.
We witness Martha’s attitude towards Jesus: an attitude of respect and love. She wasn’t happy with the events, but she didn’t lash out at Him.
She didn’t ignore Him.
She didn’t refuse Him.
She didn’t understand why this death happened, or why it was allowed. She knew it hurt in the worst way possible.
She also knew Jesus loved her and could be trusted.
Martha’s example challenges me. Hurt people often hurt people. When I feel betrayed, distraught, or misunderstood, I want to retreat.
Simmer in silence.
Attempt to make sense of it all.
Somehow wrap my human mind around what transpired and figure it out. Maybe you do, too.
Martha didn’t refuse God, refute her faith, or revoke human companionship. Although her heart was shattered, she allowed herself to stay connected to relationships, relationships that would begin the healing process.
She stood on her faith. She trusted Jesus. She didn’t know what He would do. But she trusted in His love for her, her brother and her sister. She trusted He would help in some way. Maybe she imagined His words would bring comfort.
They do.
Maybe she hoped He could turn back time and they would have a redo of the scenario with a different ending.
He could.
Maybe like me, you find her response inspiring and insightful. She pushed past the raw emotions and embraced Jesus, even when she could not fathom what He was doing.
She didn’t allow her paroxysm to predict her faith.
She didn’t allow her angry to arrest her relationships.
She didn’t allow the pain to preset her heart on lukewarm.
She embraced her faith. She loved people. And she allowed her heart to hope.
Maybe like me, you think, good for her, but … how?
Philippians 4:13 promises that “I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me.” When we are at the end of ourselves, we can ask Him to help us. He can assist us in navigating loss and stabilizing faith when rocked to the core. He can help us to continue to love when all we want to do is pick up the pieces of a shattered heart and hide away while we attempt to reassemble them.
Martha was devastated, yet somehow, she chose life for herself. We can too when we spend time with Jesus and choose to trust Jesus, no matter what. That’s a hard call, and even harder at times to implement. Yet, we can call on Him, and ask for His strength to do just that. Will you join me in prayer?
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know me. You know how broken my heart is over events I would not author. I don’t understand why. I want to trust You. I want You to reaffirm my faith so I can stand on it. Help me to do that. To come to You, to allow others in. It’s through You and Your love, that my heart will heal. Help me to trust You with the pieces. In Jesus’ name, Amen.