What Jesus Did : John 11:20-22 - Faith Beyond My Feelings
by Phil Ware
Faith Beyond My Feelings - John 11:20-22
Martha heard that Jesus was coming. She went out to greet Jesus. But Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you anything you ask." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Wow! Martha spoke words that actually were greater than her understanding and her faith. Jesus would and could give her whatever he asked from the Father. Sometimes we let the evil one deceive us into thinking that if somehow Jesus were here with us, it would be easier to believe and we could get many more fantastic things done. However, Jesus says just the opposite. Because he has gone to the Father, we can pray in his name and he will ask the Father and we will receive. Let's ask for faith that is greater than our feelings and our understanding, knowing that when we ask in Jesus' name, God hears our prayer and blesses us with heaven's best answer!
Today's Prayer
Father, I do believe that you long to bless me as I pray to you in the name of Jesus, your Son and my Savior. I believe that you can do mighty things in response to my cries. So I pray that you act powerfully in the following situations that are upon my heart ... In Jesus' mighty and authoritative name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus arrived in Bethany. Jesus found that Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days. Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary. They came to comfort them about their brother {Lazarus}. Martha heard that Jesus was coming. She went out to greet Jesus. But Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you anything you ask." Jesus said, "Your brother will rise and be alive again." Martha answered, "I know that he will rise to live again when people are resurrected (raised from death) on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection. I am life. The person that believes in me will have life {again} after he dies. And the person that lives and believes in me will never really die. Martha, do you believe this?" Martha answered, "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the One that was coming to the world." After Martha said these things, she went back to her sister Mary. Martha talked to Mary alone. Martha said, "The Teacher (Jesus) is here. He is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she stood up and went quickly to Jesus. Jesus had not yet come into the village. He was still at the place where Martha met him. The Jews who had come were with Mary in the house. They were comforting her. They saw Mary stand and leave quickly. They thought that she was going to the tomb {of Lazarus}. They thought she was going there to cry. So they followed her. Mary went to the place where Jesus was. When she saw Jesus, she bowed at his feet. Mary said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus saw that Mary was crying. Jesus saw the Jews that came with her. They were crying too. Jesus felt very upset. He was deeply troubled. Jesus asked, "Where did you put him (Lazarus)?" They said, "Lord, come and see." Jesus cried. And the Jews said, "Look! Jesus loved Lazarus verymuch!" But some of these Jews said, "Jesus healed the eyes of the blind man. Why didn't Jesus help Lazarus and stop him from dying?"-- John 11:17-37 (ERV)
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