I am the Resurrection and the Life

John 11:17-27 (New International Version)

17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany 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. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

I) Message

Content:

1. When Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s home, He already knew that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. (v17)
2. Many Jews went forth to their home to console these sisters. (v18-19)
3. When they heard that Jesus was coming, both sisters had different reactions; Martha went out to greet Jesus, and Mary stayed at home. (v20)
4. Martha revealed her feelings: “if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. No matter what you cry out to God for, God will promise it. (v21-22)
5. Jesus promised that Lazarus would rise. (v23)
6. Martha mistakenly thought the resurrection would take place in the end of times. (v24)
7. Jesus proclaimed that He is the one who overcame death and that He is the Lord of life. (v25-26)
8. Mary confessed her faith. (v27)

Themes:

1. I am the Resurrection and the Life. (Jesus is the ruler of life.)

2. The Elevation of Faith

II) Who is God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
1. Jesus Christ made home visits and cared for people. (v17, v20)

2. Jesus Christ, the ruler of life (v21, v25)

3. Jesus Christ, the giver of life to those who believe (v26)

4. Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior of the world (v27)

5. Jesus Christ, the Son of God (v27)

6. Jesus Christ came into the world for man. (v27)

III) What does the passage teach us (about commands, promises, examples, exhortations and warnings)?

1. Jesus’ Time

Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. (v6)

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. (v17)

When Jesus was on earth, all deeds and words were in full compliance with God’s will, even time itself was part of His plan. Therefore, whenever the planned events haven’t taken place, God would say: “The time has not yet come!”, but after it takes place, God would say: “because the time has come!”. Taking this point into account, verse 6 mentioned that when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness, He still stayed where he was two more days. This kind of decision made many people feel that He didn’t really care. Since Jesus stayed in place for two more days, when He arrived to this family’s home, most people felt that it was already too late and hopeless. The words Martha said, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died”, represent what most people felt inside. However, if we look at the bigger picture, we can see that Jesus had everything planned out. He purposely delayed his arrival, resulting in the Lazarus’ death, even being buried for four days. With this situation, He revealed his ability to heal and to overcome death. The reason for this was to have more people to see and therefore, to believe in Him.

Reflections: Jesus has his plans and his time. He certainly does not cause delays. I am His child, but do I doubt my faith in Him? I am also his servant, but do I seek and obey his plans?

2. The Levels of Faith

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (v21-24)

From the conversation above, we can see that Martha already has a level of understanding of Jesus, of His teachings concerning the resurrection at the last day. She understands and believes, but her faith towards Jesus doesn’t surpass the level of “the sick being healed”, to the point of “the dead being resurrected”.
Reflections: To what extent, to what level do I know Jesus? How much faith do I have in Jesus? To the level of Jesus comforting the sick? Healing the sick? Or having the ability to resurrect the dead?

3. The Elevation of Faith

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. (v17) Jesus said: "Take away the stone,". "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." (v39)

As previously said on Jesus arriving late, He definitely had his reasons. By experience, when a dead body is put in the grave for four days, it is bound to stench. (v39) In times of total hopelessness like this, Jesus appeared and even raised Lazarus from the dead. This further proves that He holds the power “to resurrect the dead”. Most importantly, Martha and Mary’s faith were elevated through this event, from “the sick being healed” to “the dead being resurrected”.
Reflections: So far, what is the level of my faith in Jesus? Is it constantly experienced and elevated?

4. The Ruler of Life

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?" (v25-26)

Jesus proclaimed to Martha: “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.” These words resound powerfully! This is a proclamation that Jesus is the ruler of life!
Reflections: Have I experienced and do I firmly believe that Jesus is the ruler of life?

5. Martha’s Faith

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world." (v27)

The majority of Christians, when they discuss about Martha, they all end up with the stereotypical points “ she was too busy, she lacked enthusiasm, or she had no heart to listen to God’s word”. However, after looking upon “Martha’s conversation with Jesus”, we can see that Martha was also a “faithful” married woman. It is because she said: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” With such reaction, Jesus was most definitely pleased. This instance is similar to Peter answering Jesus “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:16) Also, being able to have such exchanges of words shows that her understanding of Jesus was deep. It seems like we’ve look down upon Martha. Now instead let us approve Martha’s understanding and faith in Jesus.

Reflections: Am I able to be like Martha, to directly proclaim to Jesus: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”?

IV) My Prayers / Life Applications

Translated by Susan Tsai (from Taiwan)