Jesus replied, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?"
- John 11:40
We are entering a season of wonder, of the truly wonderful －Easter.
It’s the time when we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death itself, the most significant moment in human history. But, our own experience of it hinges on our belief. When our expectations are apathetic or misguided, they will be met. But, if we believe that God is real and that Jesus has overcome death on our behalf, then Easter holds the most beautiful, magnificent, glorious truth! We should sing out with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
However, sometimes it’s hard to see with eyes of faith. And, Jesus’ words in our verse should challenge us just like they challenged the original hearers. Jesus spoke these words just before he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. And, Lazarus’ sister, Martha, warned Jesus not to open the tomb because the body had been there for four days and would smell. But, Jesus mildly rebuked her saying, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?” And, she did see. There was no foul odor, only GLORY. She could only marvel at the truly unbelievable miracle of her brother, once dead, now alive and well.
Like Martha, we all have things that we think are too big for Jesus, too hard, impossible. Things we don’t find glorious or see any good in. Though we often feel powerless, Jesus has power over all things, even death. Regardless of our circumstances, how we interpret our lives is filtered through what we believe. When we are believing God, then we can see his glory, even in the struggles. But, when we aren’t, even his most glorious acts go unnoticed.
