John 11:40

John 11:40

In John 11:40, Jesus responds to Martha with a rebuke-laced invitation: “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” This moment sits inside the miracle of Lazarus, a defining sign in John’s gospel that reveals Jesus as the life-giving Son. Historically, Middle Eastern culture valued honor, faith, and rightful expectations of prophetic power. Martha’s confession earlier—“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”—expresses faith tinged with sorrow and confusion. Jesus’ question is less about correct belief and more about cultivating a posture of trust that opens the door to God’s display of glory. The phrase “the glory of God” signals not spectacular theater but the radiant, transformative presence of God made visible through Jesus’ works. This moment also foreshadows the greater glory displayed through the crucifixion and resurrection—God’s truth embodied in Jesus, even when human expectations are frustrated or delayed.

This verse anchors a core Johannine theme: belief leads to seeing God’s glory. Faith isn’t a guarantee of immediate relief from pain but a doorway to revelation. The statement reorients suffering—trust in Jesus becomes the lens through which God’s majesty is revealed. It also highlights Jesus’ authority over life and death, underscoring his identity as the bringer of life. Theologically, it bridges the present experience of faith with the future certainty of revelation: those who believe will witness God’s glory in powerful, life-changing ways. It challenges readers to interpret hardship—illness, delay, grief—through the trust that Jesus’ timing and purposes are aligned with God’s glory.

When you face waiting, illness, or disappointment, this verse invites a posture of faith that looks beyond the present pain to God’s possible revealings. Practically, respond with prayer that trusts God’s timing rather than demanding immediate answers. Consider journaling or sharing with a trusted friend what you hope to see God reveal. Like Martha, you may not get every detail of how God will work, but you can choose to believe that God’s glory is real and personal in your life. In communities, this means encouraging one another to persevere in faith, even when outcomes aren’t what we hoped. God often uses delay to deepen trust and to invite others to see his power at work. The practical test: when you’re tempted to doubt, rehearse the evidence of God’s faithfulness you’ve already seen, and step forward in belief that God might reveal his glory in ways you didn’t anticipate.

Cross-References: John 9:3; John 14:11; Isaiah 40:5; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18