"I AM" the Resurrection and Life
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Introduction
Introduction
Last week, we conclude with Christ’s statement in John 10:36.
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
As you may recall, this statement was made in conjunction with His statement in verse 30 when He said,
30 I and my Father are one.
The impact of His statement was not lost on those who heard His claim. A claim by which Christ openly identified Himself as being God.
Their reaction was noted in verse 31.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Christ then challenged their hypocrisy. They were taking up stones to stone Him yet, they readily accepted the claim of Jewish judges to be the sons of God as well. Yet, here, they were willing to stone Him for making the same claim. However, Christ’s claim to the Son of God was much more substantiated through His works. And, in verses 37-38, Christ made an appeal for them to at least believe the works that He did. However, in the end, we note in verse 39 that
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
At this point, Christ does something that was quite significant. Look at verse 40.
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
If you recall, all that has taken place in chapters 9 and 10 were done in and around the Temple in Jerusalem. Now, we see Christ leaving Jerusalem and returning to Jordan. Christ does not return again to Jerusalem until His appointed “hour” of His death. Now, you must remember that Jordan is the place of the forerunner. Who was Christ’s forerunner? Who was the one who came on the scene first “to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believer?”
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
It was in and around Jordan that John preached and ministered. It was in the Jordan river that Christ was baptized by John. A baptism that began Christ’s earthly ministry. Now, in our text, we see Christ returning there. He had offered Himself to the nation as their Messiah. In John 10, the people asked...
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Christ plainly told them
30 I and my Father are one.
Their actions gave their answer. They took up stones to stone Him. In that moment, when all was revealed, they, as a nation rejected Him. A rejection which later culminates in them yelling “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
The next chapter, John 11, opens with news coming to Him that Lazarus, “he whom thou lovest” (v. 2), is sick. Christ responds to the news saying
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Verse 6 tells us that Christ did not hurry to Lazarus’ side during his illness, instead, Christ remained in Jordan for two more days. After two days, Christ then instructs His disciples they were going to back Judea. Of course, their initial reaction was the Jews seeking to stone Christ. His answer was...
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
The essence of His answer was the Jews continue to live in darkness. He had offered them Light, but they had rejected it. There was nothing more to be done. However, just as there are twelve hours in a day so Christ had a mission to accomplish. Then, Christ tells them some important news.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
We find an interesting statement by Thomas in reaction to the news.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
You can hear the sarcasm in his voice here. Lazarus is dead. The Jews want to kill us. So, let’s all go be with Lazarus so we can die with him. Obviously, Thomas still had much to learn about Christ.
Verses 17-19 provides the following details.
17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Why does the Holy Spirit mention four days? Lazarus truly was dead. Just a week or so ago, some of us were talking about funeral “wakes.” We were talking about how “wakes” started. Essentially, “wakes” started before we had modern health equipment as we do today. Back in the early days, people were known to wake up after being declared dead. Thus, “wakes” were used to watch over a person’s body to ensure they were truly dead and did not “wake” up. I believe four day was a sufficient amount of time to determine if Lazarus was dead. At this point, there is no doubt. He is dead.
It in next few verses we find our text. In these verses, verses 20-27, there is conversation recorded by the Holy Spirit between Lazarus’ sister, Martha, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s read the conversation and then come back to make some observations.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
There is no doubt that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close to the Christ during His earthly ministry. Go back to...
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Of the three, Martha was all action. Here we find not hesitating, instead, she learns Christ is coming and she goes to meet Him. Meanwhile, her sister, Mary “sat still in the house.” Martha was an active, busy, and, at times, impulsive woman. Mary was just the opposite. She was quite, pensive, meditative and meek. Yet, Christ loved them both.
The first thing Martha says to Christ is...
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Martha’s response was not a rebuke of the Lord. Instead, it was acknowledgment of Christ’s ability to heal the sick. We see in her as well as in her sister a strange mixture of faith and unbelief. Yes, Martha as well as Mary were confident Christ’ power to do miracles. However, both limited that power to just healing the sick. Note again she says, “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” It never occurs to her that Christ had the power to raise Lazarus from the dead.
APPLICATION: Let’s be quick to judge her though. We do the same thing. We only see what we want to see even in our situations. How many times have said Lord if you would only do such and such then everything will be okay? It is quite possible that God wants to do something much different than even our feeble minds can know and understand. Such was the case with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Yet, so many times, we, as believers, have a dual personality. We portray that same strange mixture of faith and unbelief.
By the way, did it matter how near or how far Christ is concerning His ability to perform miracles? You will note that Martha put Christ being near in connection with His ability to perform miracles. The fact is Christ already knew Lazarus was sick and even knew the moment he died. No one came bearing news that Lazarus had died. Yet, Christ told them after two days that he was dead. How did He know? He knew because He is God. The point that I am trying to make is that Christ is always near. For Martha, Christ was away in Jordan and not there in Bethany with them during Lazarus’ illness. For us, we view Christ as being in Heaven which seems so far away. Yet, Christ gave us this promise.
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Yes, He may be in Heaven, but He is also right here with us even now.
Note further Martha’s confession in verse 22.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
The key to her confession are the words “ask of God.” May I ask you who was standing in front of her? God himself was standing right there. She was talking to Him. Yet, even Martha had failed to recognize that Christ was the One in whom dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
There are two different Greek words for the word “ask.” One means just a simply request. The second means a supplication or petition. The first is often used when asking a favor of the Creator. The second is often used of a son making a request to the Father. Guess which one Martha uses here? It is the first. Even though she loved Christ and Christ loved her, she still had not come that personal knowledge that He was God.
Note now Christ’s response.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Christ gives Martha a simple and broad promise. He will rise again! You note that Christ did not say when or how Lazarus would rise again. Why did He not share with her the details? Here is the reason. Spiritual knowledge is only imparted as the heart is able to receive it. Christ later would tell His disciples
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
The Holy Spirit noted this about Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 3.
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Thus, God little by little works in our hearts each time we read His word giving us understanding as we are able to “bear it.” That is why there are so many “Aha” moments. Those moments when we read and study God’s word and it seem the light bulb in our minds is turned on. It is the Holy Spirit illuminating our minds at just the right moment to the things of God.
Go back to our text and note Martha’s response.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Ah, Martha, Martha, poor Martha! All the time of constant service and very little time of actually sitting at the feet of Christ was now a great disservice to her. Her hope was the same of all the other Jews standing around. Her hope was “the resurrection at the last day.”
APPLICATION: May I remind you once again Who was standing right in front of her and with Whom was she conversing? You see Martha just as the woman at the well failed to note Who was near. Both of them placed their hope in what was to come (the future) instead of Who was standing with them in that moment (the present). Remember the Samarian woman said
25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Now, we see Martha looking to the “resurrection at the last day.” Christ’s statement that “Thy brother shall rise again” was a statement of present blessing. The point is this. It is far easier to believe things which are to come than to believe things which minister comfort and strength in the present trial. There is less demand on our faith trusting in future things. Real faith not only believes what is to come, but also believes what God can do immediately.
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.
Now, I am going to stop here for this evening. My reason is that Christ responds now with a very important statement which is our next “I Am” statement. There is lot to unpack when He says to her...
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
We will come back next Wednesday night to unpack it all.