“I am the resurrection and the life… And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
Jesus arrived in Bethany four days after His friend Lazarus’ dead body had been sealed inside a nearby cave. Standing in front of the cave with Lazarus’ sister Martha and others, Jesus ordered them to open the tomb.
Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would “rise again”. Martha acknowledged her belief that her dead brother eventually would rise with everyone else on resurrection day.
But Jesus wanted Martha to understand a higher truth about Himself. He said, “I am the resurrection, and the life…. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
Jesus’ life is eternal, and He conveys that immortality to the human soul that unites with Him. He imparts eternal spiritual life that can’t be interrupted by physical death. And that same resurrection power that can raise a soul at the last day, can raise it now.
Then Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” Lazarus’ dead body responded, rose up again alive and fully restored and, still wrapped in grave cloths, stepped out of the grave.
---Beverly Nickles