The Resurrection and the Life

As we continue exploring Jesus’s “I am” statements, today’s focus is one of His most profound claims:

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

This statement, made in the context of raising Lazarus from the dead, reveals not only Jesus’s power over life and death but also the life-transforming hope He offers to anyone who comes to Him—not just in the future, but in the present.

Reminder:

Take time to read today’s passage on your own or with a friend. Then, when you catch up this week—whether in person or on a call—share what stood out, reflect on your insights, and discuss how it connects to your life. Keep the conversation going!

The story of the raising of Lazarus takes place in Bethany, near Jerusalem, at the home of Jesus’s dear friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When Lazarus falls gravely ill, word reaches Jesus, yet He delays His journey. By the time He arrives, Lazarus has been dead for four days—a timeframe that, in Jewish culture, meant there was no longer any hope of revival.

Yet Jesus is about to show that hope is never truly lost in Him.

This passage reveals the tension between faith and doubt. Martha, while grieving, expresses faith in Jesus’s power, yet when He declares, “Your brother will rise again,” she assumes He means at the end of time, in the distant future.

But Jesus challenges her understanding with His bold statement:

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

He’s not just talking about a distant event—He is offering life now. His presence brings renewal and restoration even amid loss, brokenness, and grief.

When Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, it’s a moment of awe and transformation, not only for the grieving sisters but also for the many onlookers. This miraculous act foreshadows Jesus’s own death and resurrection, pointing to a deeper truth:

He holds power over life and death—not just physically, but spiritually—offering new life to all who believe in Him.

This story isn’t just about Lazarus—it invites us to consider what it means to truly live, and to understand the life that Jesus has to offer us.

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever faced a situation that felt hopeless, like things could never change? How did you respond?
2. If Jesus really does have power over life and death, what difference would that make for how we see purpose, hope, and even loss?
3. What’s an area of your life where you long for renewal, healing, or a fresh start?

Take some time to reflect, imagine yourself in the story, and consider how it might reshape your understanding of Jesus. We’ll see you tomorrow for Day 6!