Life!

Life!

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25‭-‬26 KJV

The Inspiration:

This is another declaration by Jesus, just before he had to go to the cross. A brother who was much loved, and in whose home Jesus always spent time, was ill. The sisters sent for Jesus to come and heal him, yet Jesus 'delayed' until the man died. Of course, the natural reaction would be: "if Jesus really loved him, why didn't he come and heal him?" Or "if Jesus really loved him, why did He allow him die?". These are just a few of the many questions we ask when things don't go according to plan or when terrible things happen. Fortunately, we serve a God of total and absolute knowledge, and nothing happens in this world without his permission. It may not always be palatable or convenient, but for those who know and love God, the standing assurance is that ALL things, even death in this case, work together for the good of all them that love God, and who are called according to His purpose. It is therefore important that I sort out my person and identity, so that I know what is available for me, and I can believe and act accordingly. 

The Contention:

The man died, and Jesus came four days later. The purpose of His coming seemed to be defeated. The man had even been buried, as a final nail in the coffin. For Jesus, the author of Life, death is but a phase and an event that He had defeated. His death on the cross was the final confirmation of His victory over death. His declaration in the verse above is from a place of power and authority, not negotiation or consultation. He was not asking for the consent of the sister; He just needed her to believe. For all that Jesus is or tells us that He is, He is not actually asking for my approval, but for me to have faith in Him and His ability to save. Nothing I do or say can change who He is. For Jesus, death was an enemy He defeated on our behalf, because death had no power over Him. His life is now our own life, and His victory is now our own reality. Death is now just a passage into the life that Jesus promises to all who believe in Him. The key word here is "believe".

The Conclusion:

It is not enough to read, hear, speak or just know about this offer of life. Just as Jesus asked Martha the sister of Lazarus, so does He ask us all as we read this verse today: "Do you believe this?". Faith in Jesus is the key to access all that Jesus is. If He says I have life in Him, I can't stay outside of Him and want to make claims on His life. If He says He is the resurrection, I have to lay hold of His life If I am to be raised up to life when He returns. It is not a surprise that Hebrews makes it clear that 'without faith it is impossible to please God'. If I believe, death no longer has any hold over me. If I believe, I am telling God that even if I do not fully understand the physical realities around me, I trust Him with my life, and I know that He can take care of me and lead me into life eternal with Him. Whether physical death comes first, or He returns in the clouds to take me home, I have received life by faith in Jesus, and I know my life will never end in hell. Do you believe? Does my life show unshakeable faith in the power of Jesus to save, deliver and lead to eternal life? God's time of favour is here.