John 11:25-27

 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

“I am the Resurrection and the Life”

I did some research to find the meaning behind this verse, because honestly, I didn’t know what it meant. I found its depth to be groundbreaking. So, I will explain the verses to you for a bit and then describe the impact it has on my life.

The context of this verse is the raising of Lazarus from death by Jesus four days after his passing. Lazarus and Jesus are two people to have risen from an actual dead state. Which raises the thought: if Jesus had not risen from the dead, what he taught would not be true. We would still be in sin and there would be no resurrection. We’d be doomed basically. Paul mentions this in 1 Corinthians 15:13, that if Jesus had not risen, then our faith would be empty. The phrase “I am” in today’s verse, used in the New Testament just seven times, refers to Jesus as God. This phrase in Greek means, “I am emphatically God” or “I am the only source of resurrection and life.” Saying “I am” and claiming to be God is what got Jesus stoned by the Jews. Importantly, he is saying that there are no other gods, no other ways to receive eternal life, but through him. God will resurrect those who believe and live in him. The word “life” in Greek translates to “zoi ” meaning “eternal life” which is different from the word “bios” meaning biological life. Interestingly, biological life includes all our sins and impurities, but in this text, Jesus is talking about eternal life that we receive through him.

Jesus here is saying that he is the one and only God, that he is the resurrection and the life, and that he will resurrect those who believe and live in him. If Jesus had not been resurrected, everything we believe would not be true. This is a call to action to start living, experiencing, and recognizing him for the unconditional love he gives us while listening more to what he has in store for us! When Jesus returns to earth during the rapture, those who believe that he was resurrected from the cross shall receive eternal life, whilst those who do not (live in him), shall perish. Logically, if he is our one shot at eternal happiness, this is the way to go! Selfish reasons aside, I strongly believe that we will be most fulfilled when we are finally able to be with him. This calls me to build a deeper relationship with him, with the gift of receiving eternal life.  (No Resurrection = No Jesus = No Eternal Life)

Prayer

Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us eternal life to be able to live with you and experience who you truly are in heaven at the end of times. Thank you for all your gifts and for teaching us to be patient, for those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. Give us faith to trust the plan you have for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.