“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
John 11:25-27
“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–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.”
– John 11:25-27
Main Thought: This is one of the most familiar passages of Scripture in the Gospels, the account of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. These three verses are part of a conversation between Jesus and Martha prior to His arrival at the tomb. Prior to these verses, Jesus told Martha in John 11:23: “Your brother will rise again.” Martha, of course not knowing that Jesus was about to display His glory and power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead, reveals her faith by her statement in John 11:24: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” What faith she reveals, having confidence in God resurrecting those who have believed in Him, even prior to the death and resurrection of Christ. Perhaps she heard of Christ’s teaching in John 5:21, when He said “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” Or could she have heard Job 19:25-26 read in the synagogue, where Job proclaims “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” Her words reveal her faith in Christ, and her trust in the promises found in the Scriptures. The great truth He proclaims, that “I am the resurrection and the life”, reveals that He has authority over both spiritual death and physical death, that when we believe in Him and receive eternal life, we will in essence never die, going immediately into the presence of the Father and the Son upon leaving these mortal bodies. Christ’s resurrection following His crucifixion, and then three days and three nights in the tomb, displays and is a promise of His authority for us, that we will be raised in our glorified bodies when Christ returns in power and glory. Paul gloriously exclaims in 1 Corinthians 15:54 “Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Christ has won the victory for us, bestowing on us eternal life that cannot be abrogated, and giving us victory over the grave through the demonstration of His own resurrection. Fear not, believer in Christ, for the One who is our Lord and Savior proclaims “I died, and behold I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” What great, almost inexpressible joy and comfort, to know that we have life everlasting through Christ, the One who lives forevermore and has all authority over death. Surely, everyone who knows Christ should give thanks today for He who is “the resurrection and the life.”
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“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–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19