Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Martha’s brother is dead and buried. Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life meets Martha with mercy and comfort. He turns her thoughts to Him, “I AM the resurrection and the life.” She knows the resurrection will happen one day in the far-off future. Jesus tells her that He is here now. Today. When Martha understands that “even now,” when help is vain and hope is dead, Jesus is the Resurrection, the Fountain of Life, her faith rises. Her grief and despair, a refining pot for hope and faith. No problem is insurmountable, no sorrow can overcome hope, and death cannot interrupt eternal life. She witnesses Jesus’ power over death when He raises Lazarus from the dead. He proves that He is the Resurrection and the Life when He raises Himself from the dead.
“I AM the Resurrection and the Life,” words, spoken to the weeping sister in a little Jewish village long ago have brought hope to millions ever since. Hope tethered to faith brings life. Not love, not service, not anything we do. We must believe. Faith binds us to Jesus. It cannot operate apart from Him. It forgets self and acts as the tubing through which the water of life runs, a simple stream from Christ to our soul. A glorified body and a home in heaven await us who by faith are a conduit for the resurrection and the life flowing through us. When grief and sorrow assault our faith, let us lift our hearts in a triumphant challenge, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
When sorrows come, do you run to meet Jesus as Martha did? (“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him.) Do you complain to Jesus as Martha did? (“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”) Do you have faith in Him as Martha did? (“But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give you.”) Do you believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life? When Martha’s soul was afflicted, her faith was tested. When you look to Him in pain and sorrow, you have the best evidence possible that faith is flowing through you. Faith is best tested in times of affliction and grief. If your faith is fiercely attacked, the dreams and longings of your heart shattered, look upon your grief and sorrow as an opportunity to purify your faith. Let your voice rise in triumph, “Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!”