Three Years in 30 Days: Jesus' Life and MissionSample

I am … the resurrection and the life

"Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.’” (John 11:25 ESV)

Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus were beloved friends of Jesus. Now Lazarus had died and been buried. Jesus had received the message about Lazarus’ illness, but in Martha’s eyes, He had come too late (John 11:1-7). She seemed to blame Jesus for this in John 11:21: "If you had been here..." Jesus' response was that Lazarus would come back to life. Martha believed this too. But she believed it would happen later, in God's future. Then Jesus spoke again: “I am...”

What did Jesus mean when He said that He is “the resurrection and the life”? Jesus knew that He would die on the cross. But death would have no lasting power over Him. As “the Word of God,” He was also involved in the creation of all life (John 1:1-3) . He had the power to rise from the dead. And with that victory, Jesus would restore eternal life with God, which had been lost to mankind, to all who believe in Him. Jesus would rise from the dead, never die again, and take with Him all who believe in Him. Jesus already demonstrated this power over life and death by bringing Lazarus back from the dead! (John 11:33-44)

Read the whole story in John 11.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that through You, death does not have the final say. Help me to hold on to that when I am confronted with the pain of death. I pray that You will come soon so that we may see Your greatness! Amen.