Faith Beyond Reason – Seeing God’s Glory in the Scent of Despair

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, peace be with you.

In our life journeys, have there been times when a long-nurtured relationship or a project we took pride in suddenly collapsed, reaching a point where it felt like stagnant water, entirely beyond saving? That sense of helpless frustration is like a heavy, lingering scent in our lives. Today, let us look together at the Gospel of John 11:38-44. This passage records one of the most stunning moments in Scripture—the resurrection of Lazarus.

When the Lord Jesus arrived at Lazarus’s tomb, it was a cave with a stone laid against it. Four days had passed, and the atmosphere of death enveloped everyone. At this moment, Jesus commanded them to take away the stone, but Martha, Lazarus’s sister, immediately objected, saying, "Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Looking at this scene, we can almost feel the tangible tug-of-war between reality and faith. Let us step into the shoes of those standing there and enter this pivotal moment of life and faith.

First, we see the "tension of faith" in Martha’s realistic perspective—true faith transcends the limitations of what we see. 

Not long before this, Martha had made a grand confession of faith to Jesus, saying, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Yet, when she stood before the stinking tomb, looking at that cold stone, her theological knowledge was instantly overwhelmed by her harsh reality. Jesus was "deeply moved in spirit" at this moment. This groaning was not just for the death of Lazarus, but because He saw how easily human hearts are trapped by visible crises. The definition of faith is never merely verbal agreement when things go well; it is the choice to roll away the stone of human reason even when we smell the stench of corruption. Jesus gently reminded Martha, and He reminds us today: "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"

Second, we see the Lord Jesus’s "declaration of alignment" with the Father—the key to miracles lies in our connection with God. 

Once the stone was removed, the first thing Jesus did was not to show off His power, but to "look up" and pray to the Father. He said this not because the Father couldn't hear Him, but for the benefit of the people standing there, so that they would believe the Father had sent Him. This shows us that the key to experiencing miracles does not stem from human entitlement or privilege, but is entirely rooted in an intimate, unhindered connection with the Heavenly Father. By looking up, Jesus lifted the crowd's focus from the mortal despair on earth to the source of eternal power in heaven.

Third, we see the "liberating word" of life's power—surrendering our trials to become a stage for God’s glory. 

Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" And the dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. What a glorious sight! Our lives often have areas that are trapped, wrapped in the garments of despair. However, if we deeply believe that every great difficulty we encounter can be used by the Lord for God’s glory, our attitude toward trials will completely shift. We will no longer merely beg for problems to be fixed, but will instead face them with anticipation and obedience, preparing to see God’s hand at work in the midst of the storm.

Dear friends, is there a stone of reason "blocking the tomb" in your life that you are unwilling to move? Or perhaps there are areas you feel have been "dead for four days" and are entirely beyond hope? The Lord wants us to lay down our control and surrender it to Him. May the Lord speak directly to your seemingly hopeless situation today, calling your heart out of weakness and bondage. 

May the resurrection power of God become your comfort today, allowing your life to be unbound from the grave clothes, so that you may walk in true freedom and hope.