(This is the fifth post in a 7-part series on Jesus’ description of Himself)
In my longing to be more like Jesus, I’ve undertaken a devotional study of his “I am” statements as recorded in the book of John.
Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25)
Through her tears, she responded “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
Martha’s brother, Lazarus, had died several days prior to Jesus’ arrival. She ached with the realization that Jesus could have healed her brother. Yet she still believed that Jesus was Lord. She still believed in the concept of resurrection. She committed to Jesus that she knew that Lazarus “will rise again in the resurrection of the last day.” (John 11:24)
Jesus’ declaration, however, went vastly beyond a religious tenet. He called Martha to see resurrection as a current fact. Lazarus’ resurrection would illustrate that Jesus was not only the Author of Life but also the Author of the Return to Life.
Jesus foreshadowed his own resurrection. It would soon become the basis of the New Covenant. Through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, he became our Mediator with God. The Divinity of Christ radiates from this “I Am” statement of the Resurrection.
Our Christian faith hinges on the truth of this statement. Paul even tells the people in Corinth, “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins…If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). With the humbled passion that only Paul had, he wanted the people to know the truth! (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) He cited the 500+ witnesses, in addition to the Apostles, who literally saw Jesus. Jesus’ physical resurrection is foundational to our faith.
Your Turn
How about you? Can you speak Martha’s creed? “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
How much more can He do for us while in this life, if only we can believe!
His Spirit breathes life into us during this life and beyond.
Be assured, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Next post in this series: The Way
Posted by Sharon R. Hoover
Photo Credit: nathancolquhoun via photopin cc
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