"Do You Believe This?”

Introduction

Good morning, Bethel United Methodist Church of Kingstree, South Carolina! I greet you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, who transcends traditions, denominations, and differences, uniting us as one body in the face of challenges and injustices.

This morning, as many of us conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, while also looking at the first week of the New Trump Presidency and the MLK 2025 Day Celebrations and the Snow in Florida and Fires still in California we reflect on Jesus’ powerful question to Martha: “Do you believe this?”

This question not only called Martha to trust in Jesus' power but also challenges us to confront the systems of injustice that deny life and dignity to the vulnerable among us.

As Disciples of Jesus, we are called to stand boldly against systemic wrongs—even when they originate from the highest offices in the land. I watched in pride on Tuesday morning as the Rt. Rev Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, delivered a sermon at Washington National Cathedral.

She spoke powerfully about unity and the foundation not only of our faith, but also of our nation.

Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,"

"Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,"

Bishop Budde said, turning her gaze towards the president.

"The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they — they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors."

Despite the backlash, Bishop Budde told NPR that her remarks were sincere, and she did not have any regrets in bringing them to the president's attention.

"I don't hate the president, and I pray for him," Bishop Budde said. "I don't feel there's a need to apologize for a request for mercy."

Like Bishop Budde, who spoke truth to power without apology, we must embrace both the contemplative spirit of Mary and the active service of Martha to fulfill our mission.

Today, let us explore three dimensions of belief:

1. Belief is the Foundation of Discipleship

2. Unity in Diversity/ The Mary and Martha Dynamic

3. Faith in Action: Confronting Injustice Together

1. Belief as the Foundation of Discipleship

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live”(John 11:25, NRSVue).

When Jesus asked Martha if she believed, her response—“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God”—was not just a declaration of faith but an act of trust.

Before she could witness the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection, she had to trust in Jesus’ identity and power.

Belief is not passive. It is the foundation of discipleship, shaping how we live, think, and act. It moves us beyond intellectual acknowledgment into a transformative trust that fuels our actions.

As Bishop Budde courageously reminded us, belief compels us to show mercy to the immigrant, the worker, and the neighbor who may lack documentation but who nevertheless reflects the image of God.

Belief is also where we must begin if we are to fulfill the church’s call to unity. In a world where denominational divides often obscure our shared mission, belief in Christ’s power to redeem and restore offers a starting point for healing.

When we believe in Jesus as the resurrection and the life, we are invited to rise above our differences and work together to bring harmony to the body of Christ.

This unity is not just about agreement but about living out our belief that Jesus has the power to reconcile communities, heal divisions, and mend the brokenness within the church itself. It is an active faith that resists fear and the systems of injustice that perpetuate it.

So, I ask you:

• Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, even in a world fractured by fear and division?

• Do you believe in His power to redeem not just individuals but entire communities, including His church?

If we say, “Yes, Lord, I believe,” then let that belief be the spark that drives us to work for unity, justice, and harmony—not just within our congregations but across denominational lines. Together, through belief, we can reflect the fullness of Christ’s love to a divided world.

2. Unity in Diversity: The Mary and Martha Dynamic

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity reminds us of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21: “That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you.”