Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Into the Text
Jesus performed many miracles while He was on Earth. Each one showed His power and authority. In today’s reading, we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. In this miracle, He proved His authority over death and life. In showing His power to reverse death, He showed His power to give life.
Many witnessed the miracles, including Mary, Martha, Jesus’ disciples, and a host of mourners. He publicly displayed His resurrection power. Jesus has the power to not only raise the dead, but also to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life” just before He raised Lazarus. He proclaimed His power over death and His power to give life, and then He displayed it through this miracle. Jesus performed this miraculous sign so that many would believe in Him.
The grave is no match for God’s power. Even in the depths of darkness, Jesus reaches in. He can save and deliver and heal and restore anything. And, not only that, but He sees the pain we experience and steps into it with us, like He did with Mary and Martha at their brother’s death. Even though Jesus knew what He was about to do, He deeply felt the darkness and pain. But then He brought light and life.
When we bank all our hopes on Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, when we put our trust in Him, the Son of God, He gives us eternal life. Even though we will face physical death one day, in Jesus, we will pass through death to a glorious resurrection and eternal life with Him. The resurrection changes our eternity AND our current circumstances in ways we could never expect. All we need to experience its power is faith in Jesus.