John 11:40
“Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?””
BEREAN.AI
Title: Jesus Answers Martha's Objection
Scripture: John 11:40
Jesus had delayed two days before coming to Bethany. Lazarus was dead four days. Martha met Jesus on the road and told Him that if He had come earlier, her brother would not have died. She believed Jesus could still ask God for anything and it would be given. Then Jesus gave her a direct command that still speaks to us today.
"Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" These words cut through Martha's grief and unbelief. Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, but first He challenged her faith. He wanted her to understand that belief in Him always precedes seeing God's glory. This is not positive thinking. This is trust in the One who created life and defeats death.
We often want to see God's glory before we believe. We want proof before we trust. Jesus reverses that order. He tells Martha, and us, that belief comes first, then sight. This is how God works in every generation. He gives us His word, then asks us to trust that word before we see the results. Faith is not blind. It fixes itself on the character and promises of God revealed in Scripture.
Martha had already confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. But now Jesus pressed her to act on that confession. She had to believe that the One who stood before her could speak life into death. She had to believe before the stone was rolled away. She had to believe before Lazarus walked out of the tomb. Jesus wanted her faith to rest on who He is, not just on what He could do for her.
This same principle applies to every area of life. You want to see God work in your marriage? Believe His word about marriage first, then watch Him transform it. You want to see Him change your children? Believe His promises about raising them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, then see Him work. You want victory over sin? Believe that you have died with Christ and been raised to new life, then watch the Spirit produce that new life in you.
The glory of God is not always dramatic. Sometimes it is a heart softened toward a difficult spouse. Sometimes it is patience in suffering. Sometimes it is joy in the midst of loss. But we will never see any of it unless we first believe what God has said. He promises to work all things for good for those who love Him. He promises to finish the work He started in you. He promises never to leave you or forsake you. Believe these words, and you will see His glory.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive us for demanding to see before we believe. Strengthen our faith to trust Your word even when circumstances look impossible. Help us to believe that we might see Your glory displayed in our lives today. Amen.
