Message of the Day: Jesus is Life!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:w5, NKJV)
This happened probably about a month before Jesus’ own death. It was the third time He raised someone from the dead (Jairus’s daughter, Mark 5:21–43; the son of the widow of Nain, Luke 7:11– 17; and now Lazarus), all of which would be climaxed by His own death and resurrection, nevermore to die.
While Jesus was still in the region between the Jordan and Jerusalem, he heard that his friend Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, was seriously ill. Jesus did not hurry to Bethany, because he knew that Lazarus was already dead. By raising him to life, Jesus would give unmistakeable evidence of his unity with the Father (John 11:1-6).
After waiting two days, Jesus decided to set out for Bethany. The disciples tried to stop him, fearing that the Jews of that area would try to kill him. Jesus assured them that the time for his death had not yet come. He would travel safely as a person walking in broad daylight. Because he walked in God’s light, he would be unharmed by the evil powers of darkness. His raising of Lazarus would show his power over death and so strengthen the disciples’ faith. Such words of assurance gave the disciples courage to go with him in spite of the dangers.
A distressed Martha met Jesus along the way. She believed that although humanity speaking, it was too late to do anything for her dead brother, Jesus may yet be able to call upon his Father’s power and bring Lazarus back to life.
It was small comfort to Martha to know that Lazarus would be raised to life at the resurrection of the just. Jesus enlightened her by saying that he is the resurrection and the life. Here and now, in this life, those who are spiritually dead because of sin may have eternal life through him. They will go on living and enjoying this life even though their physical bodies may die.
Jesus was saying more than that he gives resurrection and life. In some way these are identified with him, and his nature is such that final death is impossible for him. He is life! Faith does not save us from temporal death; but although we will die a temporal death, yet we will hereafter have life. Even if we die, we shall hereafter live. We shall be restored to life in the resurrection.
Sources:
MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.
NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1999.
Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020.
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