DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?
By: Khalilah Shelton
Do you all know the true story of Lazaus? Mary, her sister Martha and brother Lazarus were all close friends with Jesus. They shared meals together and Jesus even sat at their house and told them about God, the Father. They had a very close friendship. They believed Jesus was who He claimed to be. They knew He was the Son of God and that the prophecies were true. They knew Him and He knew them.
One day, on possibly the most devastating day of their lives together, Lazarus got sick. They ran to get Jesus but Jesus didn't come in time… in their time. Lazarus died. Where was Jesus? What could have occupied Him so much that He didn’t come see about His friend? Lazarus’ body was prepared for burial. The funeral had begun and the grave was ready. Death had come.
Mary and Martha wept and mourned for their brother, but not as people mourning without hope. They knew that one day they would see their brother again in the resurrection of the saints when all who lived and died as believers in Christ would get to live with Jesus in heaven, but this particular day...Lazarus was dead. Why had death won? Why did Jesus allow this?
I think a better question is the one that Jesus asked; “Do you believe this?” Sis, I want to ask you if you believe that all who live and believe in Jesus shall never die? Do you believe that even though a believer dies, that he or she shall live? But why? Why is this true? Because Jesus IS the resurrection and the life!
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:25
Jesus arrived at Mary and Martha’s house. Lazarus had been dead and buried for 4 days. “Jesus wept.” (Jn 11:35) He cried and mourned with His friends. He too had lost someone He loved. Jesus didn't jump right to miracle working and fixing the problem, but in His humanity, He mourned the death of Lazarus. Jesus mourns with us in our losses. He knows when we feel pain and He does not skip that part of life. After weeping, Jesus told them to roll the stone away. They did.
“So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’”
-John 11:41-45
Jesus prayed. God always answers the prayers of His Son. Lazarus was raised from the dead that day. God was glorified and more people believed that Jesus was sent from God. We can rest assured, knowing that in every moment in the life of the believer, Jesus is praying for us and God is answering. But why? Because He is the resurrection!
Jesus died on the cross and will never die again. He is risen, indeed! He showed this to Lazarus, Mary, Martha and to you and me. He showed His power, prayer, empathy and authority, but the question is “Do you believe this?”
As the days and weeks pass and your Easter celebration becomes a memory, what will remain? If your answer is “no, I do not believe”, I pray that you will soon know the saving power of Jesus Christ. Please keep pressing in and asking questions. Keep seeking, asking and knocking on the doors of heaven and Jesus, Himself will answer. You can believe today for the first time. If you need help finding a Bible-teaching, local church service please reach out to The Urban Christian Woman. Sis, Jesus is fully trustworthy because He IS THE RESURRECTION!
