Even Now: Looking Forward
John 11:22 - “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou will ask of God, God will give it thee.”
The Gospel of John is unique among the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) for its theological depth and focus on the divinity of Christ. Historically, the authorship of the Gospel of John has been attributed to John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ original disciples. However, scholarly views on the authorship and historicity of this gospel have evolved over time. The Gospel of John is believed to have been written late in the first century, and it presents a more developed theological perspective compared to the synoptic gospels.
Specifically, John 11:22 is an encouraging verse that speaks of the faith and hope that can be found even in the midst of grief or loss. It is part of the narrative of the raising of Lazarus, a powerful miracle performed by Jesus. In this context, Martha, the sister of Lazarus, expresses her faith in Jesus by saying, “But I know that even now God will give you whatsoever You ask.” This statement reflects her belief in Jesus’ close relationship with God and His ability to perform miracles, even after her brother’s death. It also reflects her deep trust in Jesus’ power and compassion, even when facing a seemingly irreversible situation. Do we have Martha’s faith?
How can we apply the relevance of John 11:22 in our actual life situations? How can this verse inspire us to sustain faith and hope even when circumstances seem dire? With God’s ever sufficient grace, we must always be encouraged to believe in the possibility of change and restoration through faith. Just as Martha expressed faith during her time of loss, we can lean on the faith to find comfort and hope when grieving. We should also be like Martha because her statement is a testament to the power of prayer and the belief that God listens and can act on our prayers, even in the most difficult times. There is expectation of miracles too. The context of this passage is a prelude to the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead,reminding us that miracles can happen and to be open to God’s power in our lives.
Aside from Martha’s prime example of her faith and her belief in God’s ability to perform miracles, Abraham is another example who showed faith when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac, believing that God could even raise the dead as mentioned in Hebrews 11:17-18. These two examples teach and remind us about the strength of faith and the importance of trusting in God’s sovereign power, even when we don’t understand the situation or the outcome seems impossible. Martha and Abraham encourage us to keep faith and continue praying, knowing that God is always capable of bringing life and hope into our circumstances.
This verse, therefore, is not just a historical account but also a theological statement that emphasizes the belief in Jesus’ divine authority and His intimate connection with God. It serves as a testament to the early Christian community’s faith and understanding of Jesus’ nature and mission. It is an enduring message of faith and trust in Divine Providence, and an unlimited source of comfort and inspiration for believers today and forever.
Romans 15:13 also inspires us, “Now the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Our Prayer for Today:
Our Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of hope. Even now, we believe that You hear us, and that You can grant what we ask in Your most holy name. We pray for your powerful intervention for healing when there is sickness; for comfort when there is grief; and for peace when there is turmoil. We pray too, Lord, that our faith in Your goodness may be as unwavering as Martha’s was on that day. In Jesus’ mighty name, our Savior, we believe and pray. Amen.