Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live.” John 11:25
TOPIC: Jesus assures us that he is the resurrection and the life.
BACKGROUND: John 11 relates the story of the raising of Lazarus, Jesus’ dear friend. It was at this time that Jesus spoke the fifth of the I AMs found in John. Only John records this resurrection.
The setting behind these words is particularly heart-wrenching. Jesus had spent many hours at the house of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. They had formed a special bond of friendship. Lazarus was now gravely ill, and they sent word to Jesus hoping for him to use his divine power to cure him. But Jesus seems uninterested as he tells his followers that Lazarus was merely asleep. Instead he waits two more days before heading to Bethany. Lazarus had died.
Jesus had a purpose for the delay. Jesus intentionally waited because, “It is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it,” and “For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (John 11:4,15).
Martha came out to meet Jesus. She said if he had been there this never would have happened. Jesus said Lazarus would rise again. She answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (11:24). What beautiful faith!
There was Jesus’ teachable moment. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (11:25,26). Jesus wanted her to know that to God’s people the resurrection is not a thing, it is a person. Jesus does more than give life; he is life. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).
Jesus asks us the same question he asked Martha, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). Her answer was, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God” (11:27). What a beautiful confession of faith!
PRAYER THOUGHT: by John of Damascus
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,
Our Christ has brought us over, with hymns of victory.
PETER WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:11 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer