Saturday, April 2, 2016

Lazarus Rises Again--The Key to Eternal Life

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

Take A Step Back:
At this point in John, Jesus had traveled to Bethany to see Mary (Meet Mary in Luke 7:38) and her sister Martha because Lazarus was very ill. By the time Jesus arrived Lazarus had already passed. Mary's temper got the best of her and she refused to come out and see Jesus. Martha on the other hand greeted him, but she wasn't very friendly.
". . .if you had been here, my brother would not have died" "
(John 11:22)
That's a little harsh! Jesus wasn't shocked at her response and simply said "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23)

Mary was familiar with the end of times and the resurrection, but that isn't quite what Jesus meant.

This catches us up to our key verses.

Closer Look:
John 11:25
"Jesus said unto her. . ."

Her would be Martha. :)
“ . . . I AM the resurrection and the LIFE . . .”

Martha was familiar with the resurrection, but at this point Jesus is making it more personal by giving it a face and more of a meaning.
John 5:21 also mentions Jesus as being the resurrection.
For just as the father raises the dead and gives them life even so the son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it” John 5:21 (NIV)
What a beautiful reminder of the trinity! God (the Father), and Jesus (the son) are working as one unity and through that unity life can be found.


. . . he that believeth in me though he were dead yet still he liveth . . .” (John 11:25)
Jesus to me is again pointing out the importance of a relationship with him. Lazarus knew Jesus, and Martha and Mary both believed in the great things that Jesus was capable of doing.


Even though Jesus is clearly talking to Martha I feel like he is also talking to us in this situation. Even when our bodies die a physical death when we seek out a relationship with Jesus, and trust in him we never truly die.
Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him” John 3:36 “(NIV)
Jesus finishes his conversation with Martha by asking her a simple question.
Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die? Belivest though this?” John 11:26 (KJV)
Jesus is asking Martha if hse belives that through him not only will her brother live again but as long as she (or anyone else) believes in him they too will find eternal life.


Reflection/Thoughts:
Jesus' love for us is so powerful, and this conversation with Martha gives a wonderful insight to the power of His love. Jesus is talking to her about her brother, and about His death, but, He was talking about so much more than that. He IS the resurrection He IS eternal live, through Him and only Him we can find true life.


Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, how your love for is continues to amaze me. You give each of us a chance at eternal life with only one little request that we believe in you and obey you. I pray that whoever doesn't believe sees beauty in this scripture. That they would see the rising of Lazarus as more than awaking the dead, but awaking a spirit. Our spirits stir inside of our bodies longing to be awaken by the great I AM. I pray each person would open their hearts to your tender call and truly begin to live.
In Jesus Holy Name,

Amen. 

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