One of the greatest “I Am’s” for a Christian is the one He spoke in reference to the resurrection. Jesus not only spoke these words, “am the resurrection,” but He showed it in His actions. Jesus has been summoned to the house of His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The sisters sent for Jesus to come because their brother was sick. Jesus delayed His coming and Lazarus died.
In the sorrow of the moment, Martha revealed she didn’t truly understand the magnitude of who Jesus was to them. In verse 21 she states, “If Jesus had been there her brother would not have died.” When Mary sees Him in verse 32 she makes the same statement. They believed that Jesus could heal, but did not believe he had power over life and death. However, Martha turns the corner in her next statement. It’s almost as if she realized she may have insulted Jesus with her doubt. She continues by saying I know whatever you ask of God he will give it to you.
John 11:21-22 “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.”
We know she is not understanding Jesus because when he tells her that her brother will rise she comes back with her knowledge of the end times. In verse 25 He makes the profound statement that all understood He was equating himself with God. “I am the resurrection and the life.” This must have angered the Jews that were there, and confused those who loved him and knew Him as a friend. Before they could have much time to discuss this profound statement, He asks them if they believe and then they proceed to the tomb.
John 11:23-26 “Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Jesus proceeds to the tomb and asks them to remove the stone. Again, Jesus is questioned as if he didn’t know what He was doing. He was told that by this time Lazarus would be stinking. Jesus’s next conversation was with His Father, as he states the purpose he says it where all can hear, and then calls Lazarus to come forth!
John 11:41-43 “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”
We know that he came forth as if he had never been sick. God was glorified and those there became believers of another “I am” statement. He is the resurrection, the giver of life, and the taker of life. He proved He had power over the grave. Only God could do such a thing, and all that were there were well aware they were in the presence of God the Son.
The wonderful part of this event is that it is for us too. We too can experience the resurrection power. When we repent of our sins and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are resurrected from the old man to the new man. We were dead in trespasses and sins and in one moment we are given a new life, an eternal life.
Do you have a head knowledge, or do you really believe Jesus is all-powerful? Do you pray, but fail to believe your prayers will be answered? All of us need to increase our faith and we do that by reading and hearing the word. Study and see what God has done and as you read remember that God has no limits at all!
