I am the Resurrection and the Life

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Scripture: 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.

Devotion:

In these profound verses from the Gospel of John, Jesus makes one of his most potent declarations. Speaking to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This statement is not just a promise but a revelation of His divine nature and authority over life and death. It is an assurance that transcends the temporal constraints of our mortal existence, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe.

The context of this passage is critical for understanding its full impact. Lazarus had died, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were in deep mourning. When Jesus arrives, Martha expresses her grief and faith, saying that if He had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus responds with this declaration, pointing Martha—and all of us—toward a greater reality beyond physical death.

“Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Here, Jesus addresses the core of Christian faith: belief in Him as the Son of God and the source of eternal life. This verse does not deny the reality of physical death, but it promises that those who believe in Jesus will live eternally. This life is not merely an extension of earthly existence but a transformed, glorified life in the presence of God.

Jesus further proclaims, “And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” This statement underscores the immediate and enduring nature of the life Jesus bestows. For believers, eternal life commences now, in this very moment, through a relationship with Him. Physical death becomes a transition rather than a conclusion, a gateway to the fullness of life promised by Jesus.

These verses beckon us to live with hope and confidence in our daily lives, anchored in the knowledge that our faith in Jesus secures our eternal destiny. They urge us to redirect our attention from the fleeting to the everlasting, to place our trust in Jesus' authority over life and death, and to live in the radiance of His resurrection.

Whenever we face loss, grief, or the fear of death, we can find profound comfort in Jesus' words. He is the resurrection and the life, and in Him, we have the assurance of eternal life. This truth not only transforms our perspective but also gives us hope in the darkest times, and strengthens our faith in the face of life's uncertainties.

Prayer:

            Lord, may we come to truly believe the words of this scripture. Lead to live in light of eternity. May we come to believe that we have eternal life beginning right now. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit. May we be faithful witnesses to the world of lives changed by you. Help us to leave our old life and act as new creations in Christ. Amen

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