Martha Confesses the Resurrection and the Life

Martha meets him with grief, future hope, and a full confession

When Jesus comes, he finds that Lazarus has lain in the grave four days already. Bethany is nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs. Many of the Jews come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha, as soon as she hears that Jesus is coming, goes and meets him, but Mary sits still in the house. Martha says, 'Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.'

Jesus says her brother shall rise again. Martha says she knows he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus says, 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?' She says, 'Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.' Present life in him and resurrection at the last day are held together. 'Shall never die' does not deny bodily death. Martha's confession is among the Gospel's fullest. It does not erase her sorrow or reduce her to a domestic stereotype from another book.

Lament is allowed to stand next to creed

She tells him what his absence cost. She still trusts what he asks of God. Hope does not forbid grief, anger, questions, or funeral lament.