Though He May Die, He Shall Live

"He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (1)

Jesus here was talking with Martha, the sister of Lazarus who had died. As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him. She said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (2)

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. (3) He had also raised the daughter of Jairus, (4) and the son of a widow of Nain (5) from the dead. Never in the history of the world, other than Jesus, has anyone had the power to speak the word and a dead person is raised to life. Jesus could speak the word and a dead person would be resurrected. He could speak the word and the lame would walk. He could speak the word and the blind could see. He could speak the word and a leper would be healed. He could speak the word and the wind would obey His voice. Jesus could speak the word and instantly what He said was so.

Why in our world today do people ignore the obvious power of the word of our resurrected Lord? By His word and His works, Jesus declared Himself the Author of the resurrection. He who would soon die on the cross stood with the keys of death, a conqueror of the grave, and assert His right and power to give eternal life.

" 'And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.' Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." (6)

1. John 11:25.
2. John 11:21-25.
3. John 11:41-44.
4. Mark 5:21-42.
5. Luke 7:11-15.
6. Revelation 22:12-14.