The Ultimate Conversation—John 11:17-37

Russ Ramsey

When Lazarus had died, Mary and Martha grieved that Jesus had not arrived in time. To comfort them, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Often the most comfort we can find is in remembering simple truths. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Where are you hurting now? Perhaps you can trace your pain to your own sin, perhaps you can trace it to the sins of others. Perhaps you are afraid because you cannot remember the last time you felt anything at all. Maybe you are grieving over a loved one who has died, who is dying, who is alive but spiritually dead. Maybe this is you. Maybe you think God showed up too late for your miracle. Maybe you are too afraid to trust Him. Maybe you are too angry to care. Maybe you think you are too lost to be found. It is in the midst of all these “maybes” that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. It is in the midst of your darkest hour that He asks you, “Do you believe this.”

My prayer is this—that you might come to know, as Martha did, that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My prayer also is that you might know that whatever conversation you want to have with God, He will not rebuke you for being earthbound in your perspective. My prayer is that you might know that the pain you feel and the fear you harbor and the grief carry matters to Him—and He will carry your burden. And my prayer is that you might have the eyes of faith to hope in the resurrection to come. Paul said in 1 Cor 15:19, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men… 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” That which breaks your heart now, my friend, is real enough—but it will pass. Put your hope in Christ not just for this moment. His hope is for more than this moment. Beloved, you are dear to the heart of God!!! Do you believe this?