I AM THE RESURRECTION
John
11:25-26 Jesus said to Martha, “I AM the
resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he
dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe
this?”
In this section of the Bible
we come to a new hope unveiled. Job and David expressed desire for a life after
death, a desire without assurance that
such a hope could exist. Here, for the first time, a resurrection of all believers
is clearly stated. We also learn of the power behind the resurrection this of
believers and the source of that power.
Martha, the sister of Mary,
was the one busy with cooking and preparation the earlier time Jesus visited
them. While Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him speak, Martha was busy
with all the needs of hosting the visitors and complained to Jesus that Mary
wasn’t helping her. Jesus lovingly spoke of the greater things people like Mary
want for their life and opened the door for her to join them.
Martha reminds me of a
certain type of believer. They do not distrust Jesus, but neither do they
believe with a fully assured confidence that allows him or her to lay aside
their care, and rest in His promised provision. They believe but they are
continually asking: How, Why, or What If questions. They miss Jesus’ blessings
of a full life because they do not believe for simply, more in a childlike
manner.
This kind of faith seems to
limit God or limit his promises. Martha reflects this in her words: “If you had
been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus delayed his visit
intentionally. Her words were a rebuke of Jesus, knowing she had sent word to
him in enough time for Jesus to have come and healed Lazarus. Secondly, faith like Martha’s treats the
words of Jesus impersonally. When Jesus says to her that her brother will rise
again, Martha pushes this promise into the distant, unknown future. She says
that Jesus’ words had no meaning or relationship to her or the current
situation.
Jesus Christ’s promises are
all inclusive. There is a promise of spiritual life and physical life, a
promise of life now and also a life to come. Most urgently important is the
clearly stated fact that this life is only for those who believe in Jesus
Christ and are members of his covenant family.
