I Am the Resurrectionby Jeff Robb

Reflection

Lazarus had been dead four days when Jesus arrived in Bethany. His sisters, Martha and Mary, had sent word while he was sick, but Jesus had waited. Now the house was full of mourners.

Martha went out to meet Him on the road. Her words were honest. Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Many of us have prayed something like that. Lord, if You had stepped in, this wouldn't have happened.

Jesus told her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha believed that, in a general way. She knew he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. But that felt a long way off.

Then Jesus said something that changed everything. I am the resurrection, and the life.

He didn't say, I will bring the resurrection someday, or I know about it. He said I am. Resurrection isn't just an event at the end of time. It's a person, and He was standing in front of her.

he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Believers still die. Jesus doesn't pretend otherwise. But death isn't the end for those who belong to Him. Though he were dead, yet shall he live.

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. The life Jesus gives is a kind of life that death cannot end. The body may be laid in a grave, but the one who trusts Christ is in the hands of the One who is life itself.

Then Jesus asked Martha a question. Believest thou this? It's the same question He asks each of us. Not, do you know the doctrine. Do you believe Me?

Martha answered, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God. And a short time later, Jesus stood at the tomb, wept with those who wept, and called, Lazarus, come forth. And he came.

If you have lost someone who belonged to Christ, this is your hope. If you are afraid of death, this is your answer. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Believest thou this?

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14; John 14:19