Originally posted: 11/08/2019

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, ” (11:25).

His timing was all off… or so it seemed. If only He had been there…

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was, (11:5-6).

But He was in absolute control to accomplish His perfect purpose. Consider His marvelous mercy in waiting, the grace and love of His perfect timing so that many would understand and have the opportunity to believe in Him, the Resurrection and the Life.

Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him, (11:45).

Consider Him, the Resurrection and the Life

• He is the Resurrection and the Life that He may be glorified.
  • But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it,” (11:4).
    • “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵ Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was,” (John 17:4-5).
    •  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. ³ And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:2-3).

• He is the Resurrection and the Life to everyone who believes.
  • Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (11:25-26).
    • “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes,” (John 5:21).
    • “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life,” (John 6:47).
      

How do we respond to Him, the Resurrection and the Life?

What cost Him so dearly has been given to us freely, to be accepted by faith. He asks the same question of us today, “Do you believe this?”

We have only to believe in Him and receive His gift of redemption and eternal life accomplished by His crucifixion and resurrection.

• Believe in Him, the Resurrection and the Life.
  • Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” ⁴¹ So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me,” (11:40-42).

• Receive from Him, His Resurrection and Life
  • When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” ⁴⁴ The man who had died came forth, (11:43-44).

As we place all our faith and hope in Jesus, may we grow to trust His perfect timing. In the midst of our sufferings, sorrows and pains, He is in absolute control to accomplish His perfect purpose.

May He use our lives to bring many to faith and all glory to Him, the Resurrection and the Life.

Let’s Grow Together!