John 11:22

“But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.”

Context:In John 11, Jesus receives news of Lazarus’ illness. However, He delays His arrival intentionally, allowing Lazarus to die and be in the tomb for four days. When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus’ sister Martha goes out to meet Him. It is in this conversation between Martha and Jesus that we find John 11:22.

Faith and Belief:Martha expresses her faith in Jesus by stating, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” Martha believed in Jesus’ power and His close relationship with God the Father. Despite Lazarus’ death and being in the tomb for several days, Martha still had faith in Jesus’ ability to perform miracles.

Jesus’ Divine Authority:Martha’s statement acknowledges Jesus’ authority and His unique relationship with God. She recognizes that Jesus has a direct connection with God and that He can make requests to God on her behalf. This verse highlights Jesus’ divine nature and His position as the mediator between humanity and God.

Confidence in God’s Response:Martha expresses her confidence in God’s response to Jesus’ requests, stating that God will give Jesus whatever He asks. This statement demonstrates Martha’s belief that God is sovereign and capable of answering Jesus’ prayers according to His will. Martha’s faith in God’s ability to grant Jesus’ requests is an affirmation of her trust in God’s power and goodness.

• Faith in Difficult Circumstances:Like Martha, we should maintain faith in Jesus even when faced with challenging circumstances. Despite the apparent hopelessness of Lazarus’ situation, Martha’s faith in Jesus remained steadfast. Similarly, in our own lives, we can trust in Jesus’ power and ability to work in the midst of our trials and difficulties.
• Prayer and Intercession:Martha’s statement highlights the importance of prayer and intercession. Just as Jesus had a close relationship with God the Father, we too can approach God in prayer through Jesus Christ, confident that He hears our prayers and has the power to respond.
• Trust in God’s Sovereignty:Martha’s confidence in God’s response emphasizes the need to trust in God’s sovereignty. While we may have our own desires and requests, we must ultimately submit to God’s will, recognizing that He knows what is best for us.