Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Death is one of humans’ ultimate concerns. All living humans are powerless in the face of death. Jesus however speaks of himself as the alternative to death. He is the resurrection to those of believers who have died and the life to those of believers who are still alive on earth.

Jesus said to her…

1. Jesus is speaking to Martha, a sister of Lazarus who was buried for four days
2. Martha believes that Lazarus will rise up on the last day
   1. It was taught in the book of Daniel (Daniel 12)
   2. It was implied in John 5:28-29
   3. It was clearly taught by Jesus (John 6:54)
3. Martha is being challenged to trust in Jesus as the One having over death
   1. He is the source of life (John 1:4)
   2. He is the bread of life (John 6:35)

I am the resurrection and the life…

1. This is one of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus
2. Jesus’ I AMs are:
   1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
   2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
   3. I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9)
   4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11,14)
   5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
   6. I am the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
   7. I am the true vine (John 15:1,5)
3. Jesus has the power to give eternal life (John 6:39-40)
4. He himself is the life over whom neither darkness nor death has any power

Whoever believes in me…

1. This is a call and challenge to all of us
2. Believing in Jesus is a central key to life
   1. This is how we should live while walking here on earth
   2. This is how we could go on living after this life on earth
3. True belief in Jesus results in obeying him (John 6:36)

Do you believe this?

1. This is not about accepting the doctrine of resurrection
2. But, this is all about embracing the person of Jesus the Christ (John 11:27)