Day 14: Discouraged
Illustration
Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus, and in John 11, we learn the circumstances surrounding the death of their brother Lazarus. Jesus came to the funeral, and Mary did not come out to see Him. Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Both sisters were no doubt upset with Jesus and discouraged, believing Jesus could have healed Lazarus had He only come sooner.
Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again, and Martha replied with the typical Jewish understanding of a resurrection at the end of time: “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24).
Jesus told Martha, and tells us today, that He, Himself, is the resurrection, and that resurrection power is available today, right now, for everyone who believes. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die’” (John 11:25-26).
Friend, Jesus not only died to make you right with God, but has risen from the dead, and is now alive forever. Resurrection power is for you, right now, today! A believer is never hopeless for we walk with One who is the resurrection and the life, One who ever lives to intercede for us, and because He lives we can face tomorrow! Look to Jesus, and find in Him your living hope! “In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).