Gospel of John: Belief on the Line

Faith involves doing hard things. And obedience to God reflects belief in God and Godโ€™s 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 Marthaโ€™s 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 Godโ€™s wisdom in a situation, that the Lordโ€™s 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 Godโ€™s glory.

Gospel of John: Grave Illness

What God does is always a reflection of Godโ€™s character and in keeping with Godโ€™s glory, and all this is displayed in the lives of every believer. Those who believe God see Godโ€™s glory in everyday circumstances.