Post by foxjj on Sept 20, 2024 20:43:06 GMT
I Am The Resurrection And The Life.
John chapter eleven is often used in memorial service’s as an encouragement, pointing to the Christian anticipation of the resurrection onto eternal life. It is in this chapter that John records the conversion between Jesus and Martha regarding her brother Lazarus’s death. Her brother had died four days before Jesus arrival at their home. We pick up the conversation at verse 21:
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”- John 11:21-27 (NIV)
John’s recounting of this incredible incident is masterful. He draws his reader into the grieving family circle with its Jewish traditions and customs where neighbors and friends had gathered to comfort the sisters of Lazarus. When Jesus arrived with His disciples, He is met by Martha who proclaims her faith in Jesus power: “If you had been here.” This gave Jesus the opportunity to speak to the resurrection of the dead. Not all believed in an after life or resurrection within the community. As an example, the Pharisees believed in the resurrection while the Sadducee’s denied an afterlife or the resurrection of the dead.
The Old Testament alludes to the resurrection in Ezekiel 37:12-14:
“Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD. ’”
In verse 25 of John eleven, Jesus made the emphatic statement: “I am the resurrection and the life.” This statement of Jesus leaves no room for another claimant. It is only through the power of God that we can experience resurrection and eternal life after physical death. Referring to Jesus as The Word at the opening of his Gospel, John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This is a powerful verse speaking to the Divinity of Jesus Christ which has been deemed blasphemous by many religions. Because of John’s participation in the ministry of Jesus, he wrote what he believed to be truthful in accordance with the facts he had witnessed.
In verse 25, Jesus continued: “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”
To many this statement makes no sense, especially if they are hearing it while attending a funeral. So what does Jesus mean by a person having life even though they die?
In order to understand the words of Jesus, we need to remember it was because of the disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve, that innocence was lost, and humanity inherited a sinful nature. As descendants of Adam and Eve we are born separated from God’s presence - spiritually dead. Humanity stands in need of redemption onto spiritual life. Jesus came as Messiah - The Anointed One - in order to open the way back to God by way of Redemption through His Atoning Sacrifice on the cross. On the night before He died, Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples where He explained how the feast pointed to Him as the Passover Lamb which would be slain for sin. In John 1:29, the Baptist identified Jesus as that lamb: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Verse 26 continued: “and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
All who accept the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf are spiritually born again which - according to Jesus - is a requirement for entering God’s Kingdom: “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”- John 3:3. On another occasion Jesus had stated: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”- John 5:24.
The crux of this conversation; “Do you believe this?” is the most crucial question in life. Throughout life many do not give spirituality a second thought with the attitude; “I will think about it later.” However, no one knows when we will be called to give account of our life. Many do not realize life in Jesus is also for now, not just for the afterlife.
Martha responded with the all important answer:
“27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.””
This profession of faith in Jesus Christ has been bringing spiritual life to lost sinners down through history, and will continue to do so until Jesus returns to bring His Church to their eternal home as Scripture states:
“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”- 1 John 5:12
Today, let us give praise to our Savior and Redeemer.
John Joseph Fox.