“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
“Yes, Lord” = Martha first agrees with what Jesus has said. “She is not choosing her own way but accepting His.” (Morris)
“I believe” = is in the perfect tense and should be rendered “I have believed” which indicates a faith which was once given and permanently remains. The question from Jesus would normally have elicited the response of “I believe” using the present tense of the verb, but Martha intentionally used the perfect tense to emphasize the continuance and permanency of her faith. Also, the “I” she uses is emphatic and indicates that whatever anyone else may have done, she has put her trust completely in Jesus.
Martha then states exactly what she believes of who Jesus is:
- Christ = the Messiah, or anointed One, for Whom all Jews had anxiously awaited.
- Son of God = who has a very close relationship to God. This is the very reason that John wrote his gospel, that all would come to know that Jesus is the Son of God and therefore put their faith in Him (John 20:31).
John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - who was to come into the world = the promised and long-awaited Saviour and Deliverer, sent by God to come and do His will.
Martha’s view of Jesus is lofty, indeed! She has come to know Him for Who He is and to accept everything He says. And she has placed her trust completely in Him. What about you? How high is your view of Jesus? Do you accept and act upon everything He says? Have you trusted Him with every area of your life or are you holding back somewhere?