12/3- I am the Resurrection

12/4       John 11:25           I am the Resurrection and the Life

24Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"…

Thoughts: All of the “I am” sayings of Jesus point to the idea of life and health.  Jesus does not come to steal away our life, but to give us the life we so richly need.  When we are dead to God, Jesus can raise us up.  When we are dead in this life, Jesus can give us eternal life.  Jesus did not just say these words.  These words, by the way, are inscribed in stone in the middle wall of our columbarium.  Jesus lived these words as He visibly and literally raised Lazarus from the dead.  The witness of this was so strong and clear that Jesus’ enemies tried not only to kill Jesus, but tried to kill Lazarus as well  In concrete terms, Jesus can make a way when there is no way.  He conquered death so that there is always hope.  He can make your Christmas hopeful when you didn’t think it could be.  Before Jesus raised Lazarus he wept for him.  Jesus cares about our pain and trouble, but He, more than a psychologist or therapist, can do something about it.  Let Him turn your mourning into dancing.

Prayer: Lord, weep with me, but give me hope this Christmas.  May my hopelessness be twisted by you into meaning and hope. 

[Ben Sloan inside Lazarus' empty tomb in Bethany]

3-10-14 I am the resurrection and the life

17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Now Bethany was less than two miles^b 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.” (John 11:17-27)

Thoughts: Martha and Mary both said "Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died."  They rebuked Jesus- fussing with God- that He delayed helping them and didn't hurry to their aid when they were hurting.  But Jesus knew that real hope lay in Him even if they didn't fully know it.  They wanted to believe in Him but were not there yet.  Jesus helped them to believe- giving them the words that He is the resurrection and the life.  Both Lazarus's resurrection and Jesus' resurrection in the same month signaled God is to be trusted and hoped in- even if our prayers are not answered the way we wish.  Jesus' raising Lazarus was much more important than his healing Him.  God's glory is more important than our temporary pain- because His glory is clear in the face of eternity. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to believe my life is found in yours, and my resurrection is found in yours too. 

(Garden in Bethany 2010 photo- author's brother and sister-in-law)