Faith involves doing hard things. And obedience to God reflects belief in God and Godโs word. Martha would have to put her belief on the line in front of her sister, in front of all those religious dignitaries, in front of all their extended family and people who had come down from Jerusalem.
Gospel of John: Martha’s Faith
[In the Greek] Though Marthaโs voice had leaned more heavily on the final catastrophe of death itself, Mary spoke from the devastation of personal betrayal, her voice leaning on the connection of her brother, the unspoken meaning clear: you said you loved me, and he was my brother.
Gospel of John: Revelation to Martha
Or are we living in active faith that Jesus is powerfully at work within our inward beings, transforming us, and is also at work in our physical world, bring shalom to all those around us, including the earth itself?
Gospel of John: Delays Are Not Denials
But there are dimensions to our problems that you and I cannot imagine, but which God sees clearly. When I pray, I can see Godโs wisdom in a situation, that the Lordโs vision is much bigger than mine. Jesus can solve any problem, fix any mess, bring good out of any disaster, he is God. But Jesus will do it in a way that glorifies God and strengthens my faith.
Gospel of John: Let Us All Go
Jesus had received a message from Mary and Marth of Bethany, Lazarus was gravely ill. But rather than come to them, Jesus sent word back that Lazarusโ illness was not to death but to Godโs glory.
Gospel of John: Grave Illness
What God does is always a reflection of Godโs character and in keeping with Godโs glory, and all this is displayed in the lives of every believer. Those who believe God see Godโs glory in everyday circumstances.

