Our faith must be challenged and refined by the Scriptures. We must examine what we believe and allow God to expose areas that must be addressed and challenged so that we may have sound faith and foundational beliefs. In this passage, Jesus challenges what the people believed and what hindered them from embracing God’s intentions for their lives. Lazarus had died, and Martha is troubled. She has many questions because her expectations have not been met. Her understanding limited her from grasping a greater reality from God. Jesus questions her beliefs to see if she is willing to go beyond the comfortable confines of her accepted truths. We must let down our guard and step away from our comfortable beliefs, and step into Christ. This will be outside of what we can understand, but greater faith needs to be worked out in us. This is a process, so be willing to work this out. Let Christ uproot faithlessness. Make room in your own situation for God to move, instead of living in the limitations we set on God’s reality. If you will continue to trust God, you will see the glory of God. Raise your expectations to meet the promises of God. In this story, Mary and Martha’s perspectives were challenged, so that they might have a deeper faith, but also that those standing around them would see the glory of God. We are to be vessels, so God may use what seems to be inconveniences in our lives--our plans, our timing, our goals, our thoughts, our opinions--to show others the glory of God. What in your life hinders the Gospel’s work in you? Allow God to roll the stone away--to remove any unbelief or fear--to reveal the glory of God. Believe Him to do what He’s said He will do. |
