I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

Passage: John 11:17-28

Key verse: 25,26

NIV

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.(A) 18 Now Bethany(B) was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.(C) 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.(D)

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.(E) 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”(F)

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection(G) at the last day.”(H)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am(I) the resurrection and the life.(J) The one who believes(K) in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing(L) in me will never die.(M) Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah,(N) the Son of God,(O) who is to come into the world.”(P)

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher(Q) is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”

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Footnotes
  1. John 11:18 Or about 3 kilometers
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb (A)four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[a] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary (B)to console them concerning their brother. 20 (C)So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to (D)Jesus, “Lord, (E)if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, (F)God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 (G)Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in (H)the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, (I)“I am the resurrection and (J)the life.[b] Whoever believes in me, (K)though he die, (L)yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me (M)shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; (N)I believe that (O)you are the Christ, the Son of God, (P)who is coming into the world.”

Jesus Weeps

28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, (Q)“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

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Footnotes
  1. John 11:18 Greek fifteen stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
  2. John 11:25 Some manuscripts omit and the life
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Your brother will rise again (17-24)

Jesus found his friends suffering under the power of death, for Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. The house was full of sorrowful mourners. Martha left them and came to Jesus. Her greeting (21) reveals her disappointment at his coming too late. She was so full of sorrow and self-pity that even Jesus' arrival didn't move her heart. She couldn't accept the good news he brought; she interpreted it theologically. Her theology was right, but theology in her head had no power to change her life.

2. I am the resurrection and the life (25-28)

Jesus' presence makes a difference. When he comes, the dark clouds of despair and fatalism are dispelled. He had come to give life to dead Lazarus and living faith to the spiritually dead sisters. In Jesus there is no death, for he is the resurrection and the life.

Prayer: Lord, come in your risen power and make your dwelling in my heart.

One Word: Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life