John 11:17-27 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
None were saved not by their own strength, understanding, or strategy — but by trusting the character of a rescuer they could not see.
John 11:19 “many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them,”
It was hope declared in middle of a painful scene
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
“I AM the resurrection and the life.”
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 6:29 “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’”
Acts 16:31 “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’”
3 Ways Jesus simplifies faith for us.
1. Jesus made Belief a person instead of a puzzle.
2. Jesus made Belief about Trust
3. Jesus focused on Belief Beyond What Is Seen Now.
2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Hebrews 11:1 — “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
