"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT JESUS BEING THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE"
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
The verses in this devotional were spoken by Jesus to Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Lazarus had just died, and Martha had called for Jesus to come. What ensued was a teaching by Jesus about Himself, who He is, and what happens to those who believe in Him.
1. Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
In talking with Martha, Jesus explained what is no doubt the most wonderful, powerful and amazingly true truth in the entire world. And, that is, that He is the resurrection and the life. These are found in no one else but Jesus. Let's just look a little closer at each one.
(1) I am the resurrection.
In saying this, Jesus was explaining that while sin that had entered the world and had brought physical and spiritual death to all men, See Rom 5, He is the one who is the resurrection. That is, He came and would conquer death, and has conquered death, by rising from the dead. He is more powerful than satan, than sin, and than death itself. While men die from sin, Jesus who also was a man, having died on the cross, then rose from the dead. He was able to do this, because He is the resurrection. He is the one who alone, and on His own, has the power to conquer what no one else can. And, He did it by rising on the third day after His death.
(2) And the life.
Jesus is telling us that He is in Himself life. Sin, as mentioned above, brought death into the world. God sent Jesus who is life, to bring victory over death. Jesus was no ordinary man, He was a man to be sure, but He was also God. He was the God Man. And, being who He is, He has life in Himself. He is the creator, the giver of life.
So, our Lord, is the one who is both the resurrection and the life. He is the conquerer of death, and He is the giver of life, eternal life.
2. The person who believes in Jesus will live.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Jesus was explaining what happens to the person who makes the choice to believe in Him. It's very simple. Since He is the life, than it follows that anyone who believes in Him will also live. By believing in Jesus, we live. We pass from the realm of death and darkness, into the realm of light and life. We are naturally born dead in our sins and trespasses, but upon believing in Jesus Christ, we become alive. Because He is life. He becomes our Savior, and as such, we then become alive from the dead. Believers receive life by believing in Jesus. Life in this context, means that the separation that existed between the sinner and God is now gone. The believing sinner, by believing in Jesus is now united with God. Jesus is the bridge between God and man. And, when a sinner turns to Christ and believes in Him, it's as if we walk across the separation between us and God and come into a real and eternal union with God Himself.
3. Whoever lives and believes in Jesus will never die.
John 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
This statement was made directly to Martha. But, it's for each of us as well. There is a lot said here by Jesus.
Whoever lives and believes in Him shall never die. How amazing. It's important to keep in mind that when Jesus speaks of dying or death, or uses the word "die" He is speaking of separation. Death means separation. Not only of the soul from the body, but of the soul from God.
So, when Jesus says, that whoever lives and makes a choice to believe in Him, that person will never die, He means that that person will never be separated from God. Believers are joined to God through Christ.
Believing in Jesus brings a dead, separated soul into life, and into union with God. The separation is gone, and it will remain gone.
4. Do you believe this?
John 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Jesus was asking Martha this question, but it's one He is asking you and I as well. Do you believe what He has said about Himself, and about what happens to the person who believes in Him?. Do you?
I believe it, I believe it because Jesus said it. It's in the Holy Bible, the Word of God. God cannot lie.
I know that because of my faith in Jesus Christ, that I will never die (be separated from God) I'm with Him now, and will be with Him in the days ahead, and will be with Him when I leave this world, and go into the hereafter.
Some questions:
1. Are you going through a hard time in your life right now?. Martha was, she had just lost her brother.
2. Isn't it interesting that in Martha's sorrow over death, that Jesus talked to her about life?
3. Can you think of anything more important than what Jesus was saying to Martha?
4. Will you please take a few moments, and re-read these two verses, and ponder them, and then talk with God about what He has said?
5. Have you believed in Jesus Christ? Than You are alive in Him, and You will not die, You will be with Him forever and ever. You will not be separated from Him ever.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son into this world to save us. Lord Jesus thank You for being who You are. Thank You that You are the resurrection, and that You are the life. Thank You for giving each of us a measure of faith. I thank You that I have come to believe in You. And, I thank You for anyone reading this prayer, who has also believed in You. They are saved just like me. Thank You Lord that we as believers will never, ever be apart from You. And, thank You that the best is yet to come. Lord, help us to realize what You have done for us, and what it means for us, and where we are headed. Lord, would You even in this very moment, fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit of God. Would You please lead us and guide us into Your will, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. We want to glorify You now and forever. In Your name we pray, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
