I AM THE RESURRECTION

October 3rd, 2016

John 11:17-31

key verse: 25

This is the final definition--or identity--of Jesus, among others. In Jesus we have eternal life, since he is the resurrection.

1. If you had been here. . . (17-24)

When Jesus arrived, the atmosphere was dark and morbid. The power of death hung in the air. Martha, filled with despair, said, "If you had been here. . ." This is the monologue of all those under the power of death and Satan. Their lives are filled with regret: "If I had had that. . . If I had been there. . . If you had done that", etc. However, in Jesus there is no regret. If Jesus had been there, the situation would have been worse. They would never have had the opportunity to learn faith. The miserable human point of view is very far from Jesus' vision of faith. Let's avoid the "if" conditional and let's live the "yes" indicative. Our lives are too short to be guided by the conditional. 

2. I am the resurrection (25-31)

Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies". These striking words are for every human soul and these words are true, for Jesus was raised from the dead and he raises the dead. He said that those who believe in him will never die. Our current life of faith is the prefiguration of eternal life. If we have faith, we can experience eternal life starting now. This is resurrection faith. Our clouded eyes are cleared so we can see eternity. 

Prayer: Lord, I have no doubt of your perfect will for me: that I live eternally and not die. Therefore, I will fear nothing.

Bottom line: Jesus is the resurrection.