Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Do you ever wonder why it takes God so long to answer some prayers? After all, we know God is able, and I've had so many times in my life where I've prayed and I'm like, Lord, why are You taking so long? Because I know You can answer this prayer. God often puts us in this waiting place where it's delay after delay. We pray, and then there's a delay.
When Jesus Delayed
Well, in our text today, Mary and Martha have a brother, and his name is Lazarus, and he just died. Jesus hears about this death, and what does He do? He delays. He waits. In fact, it's not until four days later that He shows up on the scene. In verse 21, Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only You had been here, my brother would not have died." Martha is mad. She's like, Lord, where were You? Have you ever had that conversation with God where you're like, God, where were You? I prayed, and grandma passed. I prayed, and my buddy passed away. Lord, where were You?
In the midst of that, God is still working things out for our good. This is what He says in verse 25: "I am the resurrection and the life." When He makes that statement, He reminds Martha that He has defeated death.
God Is Able
When He says, "I am the resurrection," He's reminding her, "I resurrected. I defeated the grave. I'm the source of life." He says, "I'm the resurrection and the life." Why does that matter to the Christian? When we say Jesus is the resurrection and the life, it matters because it's a reminder to us that God is able. If He can raise Jesus Christ from the dead, then He can move any mountain that's in front of us.
I don't know about you, but that encourages me because I have mountains in my life that I'm like, Lord, move these mountains out of the way. I have things that I'm wrestling with. When He says, "I'm the resurrection and the life," I'm reminded of the fact that God is able. Nothing is too hard for Him.
I don't know what it is that you're facing today. Maybe you are battling anxiety, depression. Maybe you lost a loved one and you're wondering, will I ever find the comfort that I truly need? Can I just encourage you today and remind you that God is able and nothing is too hard for Him because He is the resurrection and He is life. He's the source of life.
Living Even After Dying
Then He ends by saying this: "Anyone who believes in Me"—that is, when we place our faith in Jesus—"will live, even after dying." Death is not the end for the believer because as believers, we have a hope. Even though we may die here on this earth, we know we will live forever with the Lord. That's the good news of the Gospel.
