Step of faith

595 step of faithThey were friends of Jesus Christ and he loved the siblings Marta, Maria and Lazarus warmly. They lived in Betania, a few kilometers from Jerusalem. Through his words, deeds, and miracles, they were encouraged to believe in him and his good news.

Shortly before the Passover celebration, the two sisters called Jesus for help because Lazarus was sick. They believed that if Jesus were with them, he could heal him. At the place where Jesus and his disciples heard the news, he said to them: "This disease does not lead to death, but serves to glorify the Son of Man". He explained to them that Lazarus was sleeping, but that also meant that he had died. Jesus added that this was an opportunity for everyone to take a new step in faith.

Now Jesus went with the disciples to Bethany, where Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. When Jesus arrived, Martha said to him, "My brother has died. But even now I know: what you ask of God, he will give you». So Martha testified that Jesus had the Father's blessing and heard his answer: "Your brother will be raised, for I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even if he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you think the?" She said to him: «Yes, Lord, I believe».

When Jesus later stood with the mourners in front of the grave of Lazarus and ordered the stone to be lifted away, Jesus asked Martha to take another step in faith. "If you believe, you will see the glory of God". Jesus thanked his father because he always heard him and called out in a loud voice: "Lazarus come out!" The deceased followed Jesus' call, came out of the grave and lived (from John 11).

In his words: "I am the resurrection and the life" Jesus announced that he is the master of death and life itself. Marta and Maria believed Jesus and saw the evidence when Lazarus came out of the grave.

A few days later, Jesus died on the cross to pay off our guilt. His resurrection is the greatest miracle. Jesus lives and is an encouragement for you that He will call you by name and you will be resurrected. Your belief in Jesus' resurrection gives you the certainty that you too will participate in his resurrection.

by Toni Püntener