I Know!

Mary said to Jesus, "I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." Do we have this same assurance?

17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
(John 11:17-22, King James Version)

By the time Jesus and His disciples reached the home of Mary and Martha, Lazarus had already been in the grave for four days. Lazarus, Mary and Martha were among Jesus' dearest friends, and the faith of Mary and Martha was impressive. Notice verses 21 & 22 where Martha acknowledges that if Jesus had been there, her brother would not have died. But she quickly follows these words with, But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

How strong is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

At the time of a personal tragedy our true faith is sorely tested, and becomes either stronger or weaker. It is obvious that Martha's faith had not wavered one bit. Notice, she did not say, "But I think whatever you ask of God, God will give it to you." No, instead she knew that God would grant to Jesus whatever He asked!

Our faith centers around our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is He? What has He done for us? How will that affect our future?

If Jesus were merely a man, Martha would not have said what she did, but Martha understood that Jesus was not just a man. Jesus was the Son of God! It is important that our faith rests in the Lord Jesus Christ, alone.

What has Christ done for us? He has pointed the only way to God the Father, and shown us how to have a relationship with Him. Christ, the Son of God, took on the form of a man and came to this earth to give His physical life for us.

How will that affect our future? True faith in Christ changes us forever! Our goals in this life change, and we know that we will never be separated from Him, but will spend eternity with Him.

What an amazing God we have. Martha understood it--do you?

Next: The Christ - Verses 23-27