“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” John 11:25.
If we would just stop for a moment to ponder, we realize in life we have a negative to every positive or a positive to every negative, to bitter there is sweet, and to death there is life etc. This notion is aptly captured in the book of Ecclesiastes 3: 2 – 6. Hold that thought for a moment.
Ponder again the death of Lazarus as recorded in John 11, just like in our daily lives individually, we have experienced the death of someone or something. The Jews had their beliefs about death and the resurrection. The Rabbis taught that resurrection from the dead was only possible within the first three days of life (Mishnah, Genesis Rabbah 100: 7).
Resurrection (anglicized from Latin ressurectio) is the concept of a living being coming back to life after death. It is a religious concept, where it is used in two perspectives; a belief in the resurrection of individual souls that is current and ongoing, and a belief in a singular “resurrection of the dead” event at the end of the world.
The Sadducees believe there is no resurrection after life (Matthew 22: 23). The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central focus of Christianity (I Cor 15).
In the beginning man fell (Genesis) from grace, and died both spiritually and physically, man needed revival. The dead needed to be resurrected and the antidote, life, is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many had given up on Lazarus, but Jesus revived him.
Just like God told Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3: 14, Jesus told Martha “I AM” the resurrection and the life. Jesus has the power to revive anything, any person and any situation so ponder whatever it is that challenges you and then remember, in Jesus we have the antidote – LIFE. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Have a victorious week as you cling to Him who has the power to give you a new life and a new opportunity.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede