“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25
By Michael Adekoya – Dear Reader, remember that each time Jesus says “I AM,” He is simply saying that He is God. Each I AM statement also reveals to us a new part of Jesus’ character and deity. It tells us a little more about who Jesus is. Previously, we have learned that He is the Bread of Life, He fills up all our spiritual needs. Secondly, is the Light of the World, He lights up our spiritual darkness. Thirdly, He is the Door to the sheepfold, He is the only entrance to salvation. Fourthly, He is the Good Shepherd who sacrificed His life for our lives. In this week’s article as Easter approaches, I will be writing on the fifth “I Am” phrase of Jesus, that is, “I am the resurrection and the life”!
In the context of this revelation, Lazarus was sick, they sent for Jesus, He did not turn up until he has died, buried and stinking after four days. Martha, Lazarus’ sister says, in John 11:21, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” In John 11:22, she said further, “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus answers in John 11:23, “Your brother will rise again.” In verse 24: Martha says to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus says to her (verses 25–26), “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
That’s a powerful statement! What does resurrection mean? The word “resurrection” always refers to a dead person receiving a new physical body that will never die again. Lazarus was not resurrected. He was given a healed body but not a new body that would never die again. Lazarus’ body died later on, just like everyone else who had lived on the earth before and after him. Jesus was the first person ever to resurrect from the dead. That would have been a shocking statement to his listeners, who knew that only God has the power to give life. Jesus is saying He is God! He brings us to life when we are dead. This statement has two meanings. The first one is that Jesus is the one who gives us life after we die. He gives us life in heaven. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1Cor. 15:42-45.
The second part of the “resurrection” statement deals not with the end of our lives when our bodies die and we go to heaven with our new, immortal and improved spiritual bodies. The second part of the resurrection statement Jesus made is about our spiritual lives, right here and now. In Eph. 2:1-5, the Bible says, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”? Jesus resurrected our dead spirit when we believed in Him now. So when Jesus says He is the resurrection, He is saying He has power over death. He proved it by raising Lazarus from the dead, and then proved it again when He came back from the dead, too!
The next part of this I AM statement is “I am the life.” Not only does Jesus have the power to overcome death, He has the power to give life! Not ordinary or physical life alone, but eternal and spiritual life. Sometimes, we Christians get so excited about heaven that we forget to live full lives here on earth! We should be excited about heaven, but we have to remember that God gave us life here on earth too. Remember in the past, I’ve written that Jesus came to give us “an abundant life.” (John 10:10.) In Jer. 29:11, the Bible says, “’For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. When Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life” He is saying He has the power over death, so we can live forever with Him and He has power over life, so we can be joyful and do good things with Him and for Him now and forever. He has this power because He is God, and He died on the cross for our sins, so we would not have to die.
Therefore, as this year’s Easter holidays are fast approaching, remember and celebrate Jesus who is the resurrection and the life. He gives to His followers eternal spiritual life now and eternal physical life in a new resurrected body after death. Eternal life begins the moment we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and trust in Him to take away our sins. It’s yours now. It’s eternal because it is God’s life living in you. Forever. May we believe this, act and live like now in the name of Jesus. Amen. Happy Easter season! Remain blessed!
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