I Am The Resurrection

Introduction

John 11:25–26 ESV

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

These verses are a testament to the power of Christ, a reminder of His dominion over death, and a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to eternal life.

This is a powerful declaration from our Savior, a promise that transcends the boundaries of our human understanding. It is a profound statement that demands our attention and invites us to reflect on the depth of its meaning.

These are the very words of Jesus, spoken to comfort a grieving sister, spoken to challenge the doubts of His followers, and spoken to assure us of His victory over death and His promise of eternal life.

Manifestation of Messiah's Power

We find Jesus making a bold declaration. He proclaims Himself as the resurrection and the life. This is not a simple statement. It is a profound revelation of His divine power. It is a declaration that He holds authority over life and death. It is a promise that those who believe in Him will experience eternal life. This is a manifestation of the Messiah's power.

Jesus is not just a teacher, a prophet, or a good man. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the one who has power over life and death. His words are not just comforting; they are life-changing. They are not just promises; they are declarations of truth. They are not just words; they are the Word of God.

He is the Source of Life

The first aspect we need to understand about this declaration is that it reveals Jesus as the source of life. He is not just a giver of life; He is life itself. This is a profound truth that goes beyond our human understanding. It is a truth that challenges our limited perspective and invites us to see life from a divine perspective.

In our human understanding, life is temporary, fragile, and uncertain. But in Jesus, life is eternal, secure, and certain. This is a radical shift in our understanding of life. It is a shift from a human perspective to a divine perspective. It is a shift from a limited understanding to an unlimited understanding. It is a shift from a temporal perspective to an eternal perspective.

He is The Conqueror of Death

The second aspect we need to understand about this declaration is that it reveals Jesus as the conqueror of death. He is not just a victim of death; He is the victor over death. This is a powerful truth that confronts our deepest fears and offers us a hope that is beyond our wildest dreams.

In our human understanding, death is the end, the final chapter, the ultimate defeat. But in Jesus, death is not the end; it is the beginning. It is not the final chapter; it is the preface. It is not the ultimate defeat; it is the ultimate victory.

Jesus is the Promise of Resurrection

The third aspect we need to understand about this declaration is that it reveals Jesus as the promise of resurrection. He is not just a preacher of resurrection; He is the promise of resurrection. This is a comforting truth that soothes our grieving hearts and offers us a peace that surpasses all understanding.

In our human understanding, resurrection is a myth, a fairy tale, a wishful thinking. But in Jesus, resurrection is a reality, a fact, a certain hope.

Jesus is the Object of Our Faith

The fourth aspect we need to understand about this declaration is that it reveals Jesus as the object of our faith. He is not just a teacher of faith; He is the object of our faith. This is a challenging truth that demands our response and invites us to a life of faith.

In our human understanding, faith is a feeling, a wish, a blind leap. But in Jesus, faith is a relationship, a trust, a confident assurance.

The declaration of Jesus in the Gospel of John is a powerful revelation of the Messiah's power. It is a revelation that challenges our human understanding and invites us to see life, death, resurrection, and faith from a divine perspective. It is a revelation that offers us a hope that is beyond our wildest dreams, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a victory that is beyond our greatest victories, and a life that is beyond our fleeting lives.

Mastery Over Mortality

As we continue to examine the words of Jesus in John 11:25-26, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of a great mystery. The mystery of mortality, the enigma of existence, the riddle of life and death. Here, in the heart of this mystery, Jesus declares His mastery over mortality.

Let's consider the first part of Jesus' statement: "I am the resurrection and the life." This is a bold, audacious claim. It's not just a statement about what Jesus can do, it's a declaration of who He is. He is the resurrection. He is the life. He embodies these realities in His very being.

In the original Greek, the word for life here is "zoe." This is not merely biological life, the kind of life that is shared by all living creatures. This is a different kind of life, a life that is uniquely associated with God. It's a life that is characterized by quality, not just quantity. It's a life that is full, abundant, and eternal.

The same word, "zoe," is used in other passages in the New Testament. In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life (zoe), and have it to the full." In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life (zoe)." In each of these passages, Jesus is not just talking about physical life. He's talking about a life that is infused with the presence, the power, and the purpose of God.

Now, let's turn our attention to the second part of Jesus' statement: "The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." Here, Jesus is making a promise. He's saying that those who put their trust in Him, those who align their lives with His, will experience a life that transcends death.

This is not a life that is limited by the constraints of time and space. This is a life that is eternal, a life that is anchored in the unchanging, unfailing love of God. This is a life that is characterized by peace, joy, and fulfillment. This is a life that is marked by a deep, abiding relationship with God.

The last part of Jesus' statement: "and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." Here, Jesus is extending an invitation. He's inviting us to live in a way that is shaped by faith, a faith that is focused on Him.

This is not a passive, complacent faith. This is an active, dynamic faith. This is a faith that seeks to know God, to love God, and to serve God. This is a faith that is willing to take risks, to step out of comfort zones, and to embrace the unknown. This is a faith that is rooted in the reality of who Jesus is and what He has done.

Message of Eternal Life

As we continue to reflect on the Gospel of John, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of an extraordinary revelation. The words of Jesus, as recorded in this passage, invite us to consider a truth that is as astounding as it is comforting: Jesus holds power and authority over life and death.

In the grand tapestry of God's creation, life and death are threads that weave together to form the human experience. They are realities that each one of us must face. Yet, in the hands of Jesus, they become instruments of divine grace and mercy. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has transformed the meaning of life and death. He has taken what is finite and fleeting and infused it with the promise of eternity.

Consider the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection. The resurrection is not merely an event in history; it is a transformative force that permeates every aspect of our existence. It is the lens through which we understand our own mortality and the promise of life beyond this world.

Also consider the life that Jesus offers. This life is not merely an extension of our earthly existence; it is a new kind of life, a life that is marked by the presence and power of God. It is a life that is characterized by peace, joy, and love. It is a life that is anchored in the promises of God and sustained by His grace.

The words of Jesus in this passage are not just a promise of life after death; they are an invitation to experience this life here and now. Jesus invites us to live in the light of His resurrection, to embrace the life He offers, and to walk in the certainty of His promises.

As we reflect on these truths, let us not merely be hearers of the word, but doers also. Let us strive to live in the light of the resurrection, to embrace the life that Jesus offers, and to walk in the certainty of His promises. Let us live with the assurance that Jesus holds power and authority over life and death, and let this assurance guide our every thought, word, and action.

In the words of the Apostle Paul, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain"(Philippians 1:21). May this be our confession, our conviction, and our comfort, as we navigate the complexities of life and death in the light of the resurrection.

Conclusion

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He holds dominion over death, and He offers us the promise of eternal life. This is a truth that should stir our hearts and strengthen our faith. It's a truth that should give us hope, even in the midst of life's most challenging circumstances.

God's love for us is so vast, so deep, so unending, that He sent His only Son to conquer death and to pave the way for us to have eternal life. That's the kind of love that can transform hearts, change lives, and light up the darkest corners of our world. It's a love that we're called to share with others, to extend to those around us, just as it has been extended to us.

So, as we go from here, let's carry this truth in our hearts. Let's let it guide our steps, shape our actions, and influence our interactions. Let's live as people of the resurrection, as people of life, as people of hope. And let's do it all for the glory of our great God.