I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, I come to you today and say that I need you. I cannot rely upon yesterday's faith, nor can I rely upon getting right with you someday in the future. I want to be full of faith and right with you today! I want to make my life count for you this day. I ask that you would help me to put my faith in you no matter what comes my way. I do not want to doubt You, but I want to trust you in everything. Help me today to live for you in everything. I thank you that I have the hope of eternity with you because of what you have done for me. I thank you. In your name I pray, Amen.
God's Word Today
John 11:20-27
"When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.' Jesus told her, 'Your brother will rise again.' 'Yes,' Martha said, 'when everyone else rises, on resurrection day.' Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?' 'Yes, Lord,' she told him. 'I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.'"
Reflecting on God's Word
What was Martha's first statement to Jesus when he arrived? Did she think the opportunity was over?
When Jesus first talks of "resurrection" -- when does Martha think it will happen?
How does Jesus respond?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
When Martha says in verse 22, "But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask" -- was she thinking about resurrection?
Was Jesus calling Martha's faith to the past, present, or future?
What does Jesus say is the reward for believing in him in verse 26?
Understanding God's Purpose
If you were in Martha's shoes, would you have been upset with Jesus for not coming sooner?
Does being upset for not coming sooner reveal a lack of faith that He could raise Lazarus now? Why?
Does Jesus respond to faith? Why?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
On a scale of 1- 10 (10 being the best), rank your relationship with God.
Was there ever a time when it was better? Why?
Do you find that you look more to the past, present, or future -- when talking about being right with God?
Thoughts
In John 11:20-27, Martha approached Jesus with a bit of frustration. She basically asked him, "Where were you?" "If you had been here sooner, Lazarus would not have died." Martha's faith was clearly in the PAST. To her, the opportunity was already over -- though she still believed in Jesus. Because of this, Jesus turns her attention toward resurrection. He says "Your brother will rise again." She then replies, "Yes, when everyone else does on resurrection day." It is here where we see Martha's faith in the FUTURE. She had faith for both the past and for the future.
But Jesus desires to turn Martha's faith to the PRESENT. He says "I AM the resurrection and the life." He does not say that I have had the life, or will have the life, but I AM the life. He does not change. Jesus was calling Martha to trust in Him and put her faith in Him -- now! Friends, Jesus is calling each of us to do the same. We cannot get so focused on what God did in our lives 5, 10, or 20 years ago (as good as it may have been), that we miss what He wants to do today. The question is, do we believe in Him today? We must not rely upon what happened years ago, or what we want to do in the future -- we must be strong in Him today!
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