Exactly What I Need: Life – March 22, 2026

One key truth: Everyone faces death because of sin. But because Jesus defeated death, those who trust in him will live forever.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
John 11:21-27 EHV

Exactly What I Need: Life

Martha. Yes—that Martha. The one from the famous bible story about Mary and Martha. The sisters who invited Jesus into their home. Martha was busy cooking and serving while Mary sat and listened to Jesus. Martha got frustrated that her sister wasn’t helping—and Jesus gently reminded her that listening to his Word mattered most (Luke 10:38-42).

But things are very different now. Martha’s brother Lazarus is dead. Before he died, he had been seriously sick. Martha believed Jesus was the Messiah. She knew Jesus could heal people. She even believed he had the power to stop death. So she sent word to Jesus to come quickly. But Jesus didn’t arrive in time.

Have you ever waited for help that didn’t come fast enough? Imagine how Martha felt. Now what? What would you say to Jesus if you were standing where Martha stood? Martha doesn’t explode in anger. She doesn’t accuse Jesus. Instead, she says something honest and full of faith: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Then she adds something amazing: “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Martha trusted Jesus—even in the middle of grief.

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.” In other words, Martha believed in heaven. She believed God would raise the dead one day. Her faith wasn’t shallow. She trusted God’s promises.

But Jesus wanted her to see something even bigger. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies.” Death is one of the scariest things people think about. Nobody likes talking about it. It feels unknown and out of our control. And the truth is: every person will face it someday.

But Jesus changes the whole story. Jesus came to defeat sin. He came to destroy death. How did he do it? By dying in our place on the cross… and then rising from the dead. Because Jesus lives, he makes this promise: “Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies.” That means death is no longer the end for those who trust in Jesus.

For believers, death is not a dead end. It’s a doorway. It’s the moment when Jesus brings his people into eternal life with him. How can we be sure? Because the one who said, “I am the resurrection and the life”… proved it by rising from the grave himself.

And today he still asks the same question he asked Martha: “Do you believe this?”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life. Thank you for conquering death and filling our hearts with hope that never fades. Strengthen our faith to trust your promises, so that even in the face of death, we rest in the life you give that never ends. Amen.