The Resurrection And The Life

The Resurrection and the Life

John 11:17-27, NIV

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Setting the Scene

The math behind these events isn’t difficult: one day for the messenger to find Jesus (during which Lazarus died), two days of intentional delay, and one more day of travel to Bethany for Jesus and his disciples. Burials in the Middle East were not delayed since conditions led to quick deterioration of a body. Once the body was interred, the grieving went on for days.

Exchanges with people in deep grief are usually awkward. Martha got word Jesus was approaching and felt compelled to share both her frustration and faith. Her greeting is difficult to understand fully. It is possible she hoped God would give Jesus whatever he asked and raise her brother to life, but her later comments don’t seem to reflect that expectation. She may have been saying something like, “I know my brother would have been healed if you had been here, and even though he died, I continue to believe in your special relationship with God.” In that case, she would have been speaking about her own relationship with Jesus, not what she hoped he might still do for Lazarus.

Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life,” declaring himself Lord over both life and death. Any believer in Jesus will live—even those who experience physical death. Life in Jesus is eternal, and not even death can prevent it!

Jesus’ gentle confrontation, “Do you believe this?” echoes across the generations to the twenty-first century. Martha’s simple, direct response was unconditional faith. She didn’t make her brother’s situation a factor in her allegiance to Jesus.

Getting Personal

How do you apply Jesus’ claim of resurrection and life to your own thoughts about death?

What would have been the outcome of this story if Martha’s last statement had been, “I will believe if you raise my brother back to life”?

Martha’s declaration to Jesus—“You are the Messiah, the Son of God”—puts Jesus forever beyond the company of wise men and profound teachers. The Son of God can demand our ultimate response because he is the only one worthy of our trust.

Talking to God

Echo Martha’s simple declaration in your own prayer time: “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Thank God that every prophetic word of Scripture was true: The promised Messiah did come into the world to be your Savior.