Words of Comfort and Hope

One of the greatest “I AM” statements that Jesus made is found in John 11, where He states, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This statement was a climax to Jesus’ public ministry. This statement was not given to the crowd to establish His identity. This statement was not given to the apostles, his inner circle, as a statement to confirm His identity. This statement was not given as a rebuke to the Pharisees. This statement, however, was given in a private, personal encounter to a grieving friend.

After hearing that Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died, Jesus and his disciples went to Bethany to be with Lazarus’s sisters – Martha and Mary – who were grieving. Jesus came to bring comfort to them.

Martha hears that Jesus is approaching, so she goes out to meet Him. They have a private, personal encounter there on the road.

Martha tells Jesus that if he would have been there than her brother would have been healed and would not have died (v. 21). Even though she is hurt and she is grieving, she expresses confidence in Jesus: “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (v. 22).

Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)

Jesus told Martha that in her grief, look to Him. So, in our grief we ought to look to Jesus.

Jesus told Martha something specific about Himself. He said, I am the resurrection and I am the life.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection” meaning that he who believes on Jesus, even if he dies, will live again

And Jesus said: “I am the life” meaning that he who is alive and has faith in Jesus will never die.

That Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that whosever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life are words of comfort and hope.

Those who believe on Jesus (personal trust) will live even though they die. This paradox brings out the great truth that physical death is not the important thing. For the unbeliever, those who don’t know Jesus, death may be thought of as an end. But not so. For those who believe in Christ may die in the sense that they pass through the door we call physical death, but they will not die in the fuller sense. Death for believers is but the gateway to further life and fellowship with God. This means that the moment you put your trust in Jesus you begin to experience that life of the age to come which cannot be touched by death.

Everyone who lives and believes on Jesus will never die. Jesus does not, of course, mean that the believer will not die physically. Lazarus was dead; and millions of Jesus’ followers have died since. However, Jesus means rather that believers will not die in the sense in which death has eternal significance

After giving Martha these words of comfort, Jesus asked Martha a question – Believest thou this? Or do you believe this?

That is the question for you today – Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Have you like Martha put your trust in Him?

I am the Resurrection and the Life let these words from Jesus Himself comfort your grieving hearts today. In your grief, look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2)