Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (Job's Question, Jesus' Answer)

by Whitney V. Myers

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Jesus told Martha, ‘Your brother will come back to life again. I am the one who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again. He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?’ ‘Yes, Master,’ Martha replied. ‘I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’

"If a man dies, will he live again?  All the days of my struggle I will wait
until my change comes." (Job 14:14)

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?' " (John 11:25-26)

This is the fifth lesson in this series in 2019 on the "I AM" statements of Christ.  Recent lessons include:  "Jesus is The Light of the World" (Ref. 1), "Jesus is The Bread of Life" (Ref. 2), "Jesus is the Door" (Ref. 3), and "Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Ref. 4).  In 2018, this ScriptureWay.com site published two related lessons based on John 14:6, "Jesus is the Way to Heaven" (Ref. 5) and "Jesus is the Truth" (Ref. 6).  Today's lesson discusses Jesus' statement to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).

Consider Job's Question

     "If a man dies, will he live again?" (Job 14:14).  Do you, like Job, hope to live after death?  Do you, like Martha, believe in a resurrection?  Are you seeking assurance and calmness about life after death?   

Resurrection - Old Testament Perspective

     Jesus' Jewish listeners likely knew the concept of a resurrection after death.  In the Old Testament scriptures, Job said that he hoped for physical resurrection (being made alive again) after his death.  "As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25-26).  David likewise hoped that God would redeem him from the grave (Psalm 49:15).  Daniel expressed hope in life after death, "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2).

"I Am the Resurrection and the Life"

     Martha's beloved brother, Lazarus, had died (John 11:1-15).  When Jesus comes to Bethany and meets Martha, Martha says, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).  Jesus assures her, "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23).  Martha replies to Jesus, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day" (John 11:24).  Martha believed in a resurrection - as a future event.

Jesus then turns Martha's thoughts to himself and to the present.  Jesus tells Martha these words of calm assurance, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die" (John 11:25-26, Ref. 7). 

The key to understanding the resurrection is to understand who Jesus is (Ref. 8).  Jesus is the same God who appeared to Moses and said, "I AM WHO I AM" (John 8:58, Exodus 3:14).  Jesus himself also is the fulfillment of mankind's hope for life beyond death.  The key to having life eternal is to know him, trust him, and to believe in him (John 3:16, Ref. 7). 

Jesus asks Martha, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:26)  Martha replies to Jesus, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world" (John 11:27). 

Jesus then provides evidence that he is who he says he is when he raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44).  As the result, many of the Jews who were eyewitnesses to what Jesus had done believed in (put their faith and trust in) him (John 11:45).

To see more scriptures about God's promise of eternal life, refer to Bible Verses about Eternal Life - Ref. 9. 

     Apply.  Do you believe that Jesus is who he said he is?  Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? (John 11:25)  Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and you will have eternal life (John 3:16).  In Jesus you will find assurance and calmness about life after death.

Related Lessons
"What is Eternal Life?" (John 17:3)
"Made Alive Together with Christ - A New Quality of Life" (Ephesians 2:45)
"Paradise, Jesus, and the Penitent Thief" (Luke 23:42-43)

References
1.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-light-of-the world
2.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-bread-of-life
3.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-door
4.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-good-shepherd       
5.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-way-to-heaven
6.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-truth
7.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/maclaren/john/11.htm
8.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/who-is-jesus
9.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/bible-verses-about-eternal-life