Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John11:25
Lazarus has died.
Jesus predicted that he would die and that he would be raised.
On His "late" arrival Martha meets Him and she's angry, confused and disappointed.
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again.
Martha, thinking that He is speaking of resurrection someday, one day, mumbles back "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
But she doesn't get it.
So Jesus makes it more clear.
Resurrection has never been about merely living forever.
Resurrection has never been about merely cheating death.
Resurrection has never been about merely mitigating grief.
Resurrection is wrapped up in WHO JESUS IS!
Resurrection is part of Jesus' ontology (i.e. at the heart of His identity and being)
Jesus is LIFE.
He is the WORD and the agent of Creation.
Colossians 1:16-17 puts it like this: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
LIFE in huge capital flashing letters _pulsates_ from Christ.
Resurrection to glorious eternal life is simply an extension of who He is.
If we think of who He is, it is unthinkable that life should have to end and that there is not rich, abundant, eternal and glorious life available to those who cling to Him.
He IS the Resurrection and the Life.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
