Scripture: John 11:25-27
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
Some Thoughts
No more glorious words have been spoken since the beginning of language. Is there life after death? Without a doubt! Jesus’ words and life couldn’t be clearer evidence. Believe in him and live on, even when your earthly physical body doesn’t. You’ll get a body not subject to death because death has been defeated. Death is extinct! You’ll recall when Jesus was a baby, Mary and Joseph took him to the old priest Simeon. Do you remember Simeon’s words about his own death? They were, Lord, now let your servant depart in peace (NASB). He didn’t say die in peace. The Greek word is apoluo meaning to let go. On the Mount of Transfiguration a similar concept was expressed in speaking of Jesus’ “exodus” from this earth.
Upon our death, our bodies are instantly transformed. We simply depart or are dismissed (NIV) from this body. This truth was brought home to me so clearly when my mother died. I was present with mom when she took her last breath and departed this life. I was overwhelmed with the truth that mom just left. It was as if Jesus said to me, Mary is not here anymore. The shell of her body on the bed was where she used to be. In her last moments she reached up with both hands and said, “home,” the only word she said in her unconscious state. An instant later she was in the presence of her Lord and Savior.
This Jesus is the same “I AM” who spoke to Moses in the burning bush, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Way, the Truth and the Life. The power of Christ is not only in the resurrection but also eternal life. Martha’s comment from yesterday’s passage that everyone rises on the last day told us she was thinking only of the final judgment day. As we have mentioned several times. Most of the time Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man. Here Martha refers to him as the Son of God, believing in his divinity, recognizing who he is. Even at that, she did not fully grasp his power over life and death. Jesus and Martha were thinking on two different levels. Martha was thinking the biggest, end picture. Jesus’ thinking comprehended both the end but also its impact on the present circumstance.
Martha did what so many of us do; we think of the grand story of God and fail to grasp its impact on the present situation. That Martha hadn’t understood what Jesus was getting at is evidenced by her comment about not wanting to open the tomb because it will stink. We need to roll the stone away from our theological tombs more often and see the power of our great Savior working in the world in which we live right now. Faith in Jesus is always moving forward never pre-determining conclusions.
Music: “In Christ Alone” All Souls Orchestra Kristin Getty Glorious
This is a picture of the Body of Christ. The Brits sing again!
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day, up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Prayer:
You are God and we praise you; you are the Lord and we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father; all creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, cherubim and seraphim sing in endless praise, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory.’ Throughout the whole world the holy church acclaims you, Father of majesty unbounded; Your true and only Son worthy of all worship and the Holy Spirit advocate and guide. Come then Lord and help your people bought with the price of your own blood; and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Amen. ― from Te Deum, 4th century