John 11:24.

New International Version

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

For Meditation

Do we always fully know what we talk about—even when we claim knowledge?

It reminds me of the story of the blindfolded men a teacher challenged to describe an elephant. Their descriptions were accurate, but limited only to the part of the elephant they could reach and touch. Each could swear their description was correct.

We all have limited and incomplete knowledge, despite our reputation as experts in any field, because we are finite beings. The infinite God is the only One who knows it all and has it all together. Apprehending this truth is humbling, especially to every Christian. 

When Martha protested the lateness of Jesus at the outskirt of Bethany, she signed up for a course in divine revelation. Patience and humility are prerequisites of this course. It was teaching time, but we know our sister had a problem with sitting at Jesus’s feet to learn (Luke 10:38-41). 

 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11:21-22).

 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Do you see how we miss the point when we jump the gun to acclaim our insight? Jesus was talking about the present, but Martha leaped to the ultimate situation with every believer—the resurrection. Are we not all guilty of such rapid retorts that often miss the mark?

What we hear first may not register the depth of knowledge we need to have. We can have a gist or inclination of what a person is saying, but that may not reveal what the speaker intended to communicate. We can be poles apart in meaning. When we play this game of thinking for the speaker with Jesus—our Bible studies—we miss out on several fronts.

First, we do not hear God when He speaks. We hear more of ourselves and the information others have fed us that may not be what the scripture is speaking to us.  

Second, because we miss the point, we do not learn. We can remain in our ignorance if we do not voice it out and get corrected. Many students flunk exams this way. Thank God Martha confidently voiced her ignorance for Jesus to correct with that profound statement that He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26).

Third, we do not get to know Jesus well to know His will in every situation. Intimate knowledge of God helps in shaping our perspectives about everything. 

Finally, when we think we know so much, it makes us proud and dangerous to ourselves, and lose canons for everybody. “I know…”

May the Lord give us the grace to humble ourselves before Him, so we can hear Him well and grow in intimacy with Him.

Amen!