Is That Your Final Answer?

I was recently asked to speak at a cousin’s funeral and then read the selected scripture.

I will skip the eulogy I gave.

I will say that God helped me to console those grieving.

For this piece, I thought I would discuss the passage from scripture.

At the beginning of John 11, Lazarus was ill.

His sisters, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus.

But Jesus intentionally delayed his departure.

In time, Jesus told His followers that it was time to leave for Judea.

The disciples warned against this, but Jesus prevailed.

By the time they arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.

A grieving Martha heard Jesus had arrived and went out to confront Him.

In her pain, she scolded Jesus for not arriving in time to save Lazarus.

Unknown to Martha, Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead.

Before He did so, Jesus identified Himself as the source of eternal life.

He then asked Martha a very deep and personal question that required a personal response.

John 11:25-26 (NRSVue) - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

These words were directed at Martha.

But they are directed at us as well.

Jesus is telling us exactly who He is, the source of eternal life.

He then asks us the same very deep and personal question.

“Do you believe this?”

Is He still waiting for you to answer?

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com on Friday, April 24, 2026.

I will be back here on Friday, May 1, 2026