Life and death
Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” John 11:25-26
Jesus had known for some days that Martha’s brother Lazarus was seriously ill, but he had decided not to visit. So when he finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Martha clearly regretted the fact that Jesus had taken so long. She immediately blurted out: “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Nevertheless, Martha had confidence in Jesus and, shortly afterwards, this was fully justified as Jesus raised Lazarus from death.
We can’t be sure why Jesus decided to delay his visit to see his friends in Bethany but, arriving four days after his death, no one could possibly question the fact that Lazarus was indeed dead. So, when he was brought back to life, there was no question that what had happened was completely miraculous. Jesus had already spoken of the way in which his ministry brought life to people but now he was going much further. He was claiming that he, personally, was that life.
No one can deny the fact of death but, in Jesus, it takes on a completely new significance. When Jesus gives his life, it is eternal life and so nothing can bring it to an end. Even death can’t get in the way. The apostle Paul mocked death when he wrote to the church in Corinth: ”Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15.54-57). The thought of death being the end completely disappears as we acknowledge that Jesus is both the resurrection and the life.
QUESTION
How do you understand death and what lies beyond it?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I worship you because you are both the resurrection and the life. Thank you that the future is something that I can look forward to with confidence and joy. Amen
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