The resurrection of Jesus is more than a historical event. The resurrection of Jesus is a confrontation of faith. Do you believe that He is the resurrection and life?

This interaction between Martha and Jesus is dripping with emotion. Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, had a close and affectionate relationship with Jesus. Verses 33-36 tell us that when Mary met him, accompanied by many mourners, he was deeply moved, and when he came to the tomb, he wept. The sisters are grieved by the loss of their brother and disappointed that Jesus had not arrived in time to heal him from his sickness.

There is a tendency to read this passage and focus primarily on the emotions. However, God is doing more than ministering to emotions in this passage. In God’s providence, he was providing an opportunity to demonstrate His glory and call his disciples to a deeper faith and belief.

Martha acknowledged that she believed in the resurrection on the last day, but this belief was academic and did not influence how she experienced the grief of the moment. Jesus called her to personally believe that he alone is the source and power of resurrection and eternal life. Many people, like Martha, acknowledge Jesus's resurrection, but what does it mean to have faith and belief that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? This passage exposes the insufficiency of knowledge alone and the requirement of faith and confession.

Having faith and belief that Jesus is the resurrection and the life is:

• More than an acknowledgment of fact.

• Believing that in Jesus alone is salvation.

• Confessing Jesus as Christ and Lord.

The hope of heaven and the promise of the second coming of Jesus change how you understand and experience the hardships of this world. There are many things you will never experience, but the Bible declares that until Jesus comes again, there is one thing that everyone will experience, and that is death.

Grief is the common bond between every generation, every culture, and every people group.

When confronted with death, it draws your attention to the big questions concerning eternity, entrance into heaven, and the judgment of God and hell. The Thessalonians were new Christians and had many questions, but their greatest concern was about the Christians who had died before Christ's return.

Paul writes these instructions to inform and encourage the church with God’s word. Confusion was causing them to worry and grieve, but Paul wanted them to be encouraged by the word of God. This passage teaches three ways that the word of God encourages and gives you hope.