I Am The Resurrection

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (1)

The miracle that Christ was about to perform, in raising Lazarus from the dead, represents the resurrection of all the righteous dead. By His word and by His works, Jesus declared Himself the Author of life and the resurrection. He who would soon die on the cross held the keys of death, a conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give eternal life. "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (2)

"He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." Jesus here is looking forward to the time of His second coming. Then the "dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (3) "The last enemy that will be destroyed is death." (4).

In all that He did, Jesus was cooperating with His Father. He was careful to make it evident that He did not work independently from His Father. It was by faith and prayer that He wrought His miracles. Jesus desired all to know His relationship with His Father. Thus He prayed, "And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.' Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes.. Jesus said to them, 'Loose him, and let him go.' " (5)

Jesus cooperated with God in all that He did. He said, "The world must be shown that I love the Father, and do exactly as He commands." (6) That is excellent advice for us today. The world needs a demonstration of people who love the Lord and who are obedient to Him. To such it is promised, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (7)

1. John 11:25.
2. Revelation 1:17, 18.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:52-57.
4. 1 Corinthians 15:26.
5. John 11:41-44.
6. John 14:31, NEB.
7. John 14:23.