I am the Resurrection and the Life

Updated 3 July 2024

by Mr. Whitney V. Myers

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Jesus says to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies" (John 11:25)

"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)

     Consider.  Do you believe in Jesus, and do you believe that you will live in him even after your physical death? 

This lesson discusses Job's question, "If a man dies, will he live again?," (Job 14:14), and Jesus' answer, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies" (John 11:25).

The scriptures quoted in this lesson are from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 version, unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

Job's Question - "If a man dies, will he live again?"

     Job asked, "If a man dies, will he live again?  All the days of my struggle I will wait until my change comes" (Job 14:14).  Job looked forward to a future time when he would be changed and revived from death.  The Hebrew word for change in Job 14:14 is chaliphah (pronounced as khal-ee-faw').  Chaliphah means a change of garments (Genesis 45:21-22) as well as revival after death (Job 14:14, Ref. 2). 

Job also believed that in a future time in the flesh he would see God.  "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).

Jesus' Answer - "I Am the Resurrection and the Life"

     John, the disciple of Jesus, wrote in John 11:1-5 about Jesus receiving news his friend Lazarus was sick.  Jesus  waited two more days (John 11:6), and then he took his disciples to Bethany, the village of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1).  Jesus knew before he traveled to Bethany that Lazarus already was dead (John 11:14).

When Jesus came to Bethany, Martha came out to meet him (John 11:20).  Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).  Jesus assured her, "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23).  Martha replied to Jesus, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day" (John 11:24). 

The Greek word for resurrection in John 11:24-25 is anastasis (pronounced as an-as'-tas-is), which means standing up again, referring to physical resurrection of the body (Ref. 3).  Note that Martha believed in a resurrection - as a future event. 

Believe in Jesus - Receive Eternal Life

     Jesus then turned his discussion with Martha to the present.  Jesus told Martha, and these words assure us today -- "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).

Job's question was, "If a man dies, will he live again?" (Job 14:14).  Jesus answered Job's question in the affirmative (yes) and with a promise.  Jesus' promise is that when you believe in (trust in, have faith in) him you will live even after your physical death (Ref. 4).  Jesus is referring to the eternal life of our soul and spirit which begins during this earthly life when we believe in him, and that eternal life continues with Jesus after our physical death ("What is Eternal Life"- Ref. 5).

     Apply.  Jesus said to Martha, "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).  Then Jesus asked Martha, "Do you believe this?" ... (pause)  Do you believe this?

Related Lessons and Resources
"What is Eternal Life?" (John 17:3)
"Bible Verses About Eternal Life"
"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. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB1995/ 
2.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2487.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/greek/386.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4100.htm
5.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/what-is-eternal-life