Spirituality Column #751

April 6, 2021

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Asking for a Friend

By Bob Walters

“I am the resurrection and the life ... whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” – Jesus to Martha at Lazarus’ grave, John 11:25-26

Jesus here asks Martha, in a roundabout way, if she believes He can raise Lazarus – her four-day dead brother and his close friend – Lazarus from the grave.

She answers with a moping, inconclusive equivalent of “I suppose so.”  Yes, there is a resurrection on the last day, she notes.  Yes, you are the Messiah, she concedes.  But she has to be wondering, “What does that do for my sadness right now?”  She is thinking only of her dead brother, not of loving, eternal salvation.

The about-to-happen miracle, Lazarus walking out of his grave at Jesus’ command (as we noted here a couple weeks back, column #749, 3-23-21, The Light Beyond), is the event that solidifies the Jewish leaders’ intent to kill Jesus (“…it is better for one man to die …”, John 11:50).  Jesus was crucified a couple weeks later. 

But what Jesus is really asking Martha is if she believes – and in a larger way is telling us all – that by faith in Him as Lord, Christ, Messiah, Son of God, Savior, Divine Word of God / Logos, the truth of His mission is to save humanity from eternal death by promising God’s free gift of eternal life.  It will take humanity years to figure that out.

Nowhere in the Bible have I found Jesus asking anyone, “Who are you?”  He always just seemed to know.  And it is evident, especially from how He addressed conflicts within the band of disciples or the life of the woman at the well, that Jesus also knew what people were thinking.  Yet, he was friendly and asked questions.

Jesus asked the lame man if He wanted to be healed. (John 5:6)

Jesus asked the Disciples who the people said He was. (Matthew 15:13)

Jesus asked Peter who he said He was. (Matthew 15:16)

Jesus asked Martha if she believed He is resurrection and life. (John 11:26)

If it stands to reason that Jesus already knew the hearts, minds, and lives of those He encountered – and I believe it does – why did Jesus ask so many questions?

The best answer I can provide is that Jesus, to this day, wants people to think for themselves: to ask themselves what they truly believe.  Where the Old Covenant and Mosaic Laws were a menu of “Things To Do,” the New Covenant of faith in Christ – He the embodiment of truth – is a mystery of love, faith, freedom, and “What We Think.”

The Law was death because it measured sin.  Faith in Jesus is life because His death covers our sin and His resurrection invites us, by faith, into eternal life with God.

As we proceed past Easter let’s take comfort – rather than horror or shame – in knowing that Jesus already knows us, knows our sins, has forgiven us, has defeated death for those who believe, and invites us to love Him as He loves us.  He invites us to be His friends and to be free. If we say no, then He never knew us (Matt 7:23). Gulp.

Jesus never tells us what to think because love requires freedom.  But He never stops asking us to think, because it is the faith of our minds and the love of our hearts that discover Him.  It is that discovery that brings eternal joy, and that is our salvation.

Jesus has done all He needs to do; it’s on us now.  What do you think?

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) notes Jesus is happy to help us with faith; ask Him.