This week’s devotions are based on the message: “Overcoming Death” Week 5 of Signs (LISTEN HERE)
Actions speak louder than words.
Someone can make great claims. But great claims are meaningless if there is not the great accomplishment to back it up.
Financial guru Dave Ramsey often says, “Don’t take financial advice from your broke relatives.” His point? If someone is sharing advice on building wealth and they themselves are bankrupt, that is hard to swallow. However, Dave Ramsey is open about his story of implementing poor financial practices and going bankrupt, only to implement his current “Baby Step” program and now is financially independent and runs a debt-free company. His actions speak louder than his words. His actions back up his words.
Even though I have never met Dave Ramsey, I align with his principles because of his story, his teaching and the success of thousands of people getting out of debt. People have realized the truth of his claim.
In no way am I promoting Dave Ramsey or putting him on the same level as Jesus.
But I am using him as a reality we all face. We all want to see something to believe it. And if we can’t see it, we rely on the experience of enough other people to back up the individual’s claim.
As Jesus was at the home of Mary and Martha and the reality of Lazarus’ death, Jesus speaks to Martha and gives this claim:
John 11:21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Martha had already experienced enough interaction to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. She indicates she believes that he is the resurrection and the life…but as he finishes her response it leave a question in my mind if she really believed Jesus would raise Lazarus. How about the disciples following Jesus? The friends of Mary and Martha?
If Jesus would have said this and walked away, would people have put their trust in Jesus? Probably not. But when Jesus calls out to Lazarus and they see the man who had been dead four days come out of the tomb. Now, they had evidence to back Jesus’ claim.
We didn’t see Lazarus come out of the tomb, but we have the testimony of John, Martha, Mary, and many others who were there.
And we have Jesus’ own resurrection just a short time later.
And that’s why Jesus did miracles…not just to show off his power, but to confirm his promises and claims. He wasn’t just “all talk.” His talk was backed by his actions.
So there is no question in my mind, even though I haven’t seen Jesus face to face or witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus or his own resurrection that Jesus promise that I too will rise is absolutely true. Why because his miracles were done to lead me to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing I may have life in his name.
This miracle was no different.
Apply: Sometimes it is hard to trust Jesus’ promises. What promise do you have a challenge believing or living by? What miracle done in the Bible perhaps gives certainty that what Jesus promises, he is also able to carry out.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your miracles that weren’t necessary, but were helpful to me and many others who love to have evidence to back up one’s claim. AMEN.