After reading the verses every week I read a few different commentaries as well. This weeks lesson was and is a much-needed lesson to learn and it didn’t come directly from any of the reference books I use. I pray you take this and search for yourself and make your wisdom of and from Him. May He enlighten and strip away any ignorance others or I provide.
Extra Credit: I may have used this before as the extra reading but it fit so well with today that even if I did it may be worth repeating. It is from Octavius Winslow and warns against Human Guidance
Jhn 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Jhn 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
- Does Marthas comment affirm her faith or display hypocrisy?
Looking at many of the commentaries that I look at in preparation for this I find various views on these same verses. Despite a single gospel, despite men that I believe to be faithful and grace filled, God may reveal to one something totally different than another. With these verses I saw some that looked at the utterance by Martha as evidence that much of the mist of doubt had faded and that her faith was now restored. I found others refute such a view and point to her final words at the grave of Lazarus. It was there belief that her actions speak louder than her words. And finally we see by yet another the convection of her heart and the fact that Martha wavered later (11:39) does not alter the fact that she believed Him to be the Son of God, which was far more important.
I being a babe in His word fell it uneasy to refute or collaborate any of such higher regards than I, but instead I found myself in much prayer and searching the scriptures. And if I know nothing else it is this primary point and lesson. If I may press upon you nothing else in this it is just that. Take heed, test the words of any. Not to the world or even your emotions but to meditation, prayer and scripture. Compare scripture with scripture, pray for enlightenment, and mediate on His word.
With that considered with these verses take time on your own: Mat 16:16, Acts 8:37, John 11:39, Luke 19:10, Rom 10:9-10,Gal 4:4-5, I Tim 1:15, and finally John 11:5
