Jesus said, “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE” (Jn 11:25). This is a powerful statement, and one of the seven I AMs of Christ. In it is included:
The promise to Martha of Jesus’ soon coming resurrection. By His blessed resurrection we have obtained the certainty that we are freed from sin (1 Cor 15:17, Eph 2:1,5,6)
The assurance that those who die in Christ will likewise be raised up in the last day (I Cor. 15:20-21,52;John 5:29)
The redefining of what it means to have life outside of what is temporal. Jesus explains it in His own words as He continues to speak to Martha:
“He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” Death is no longer the end but rather only being “absent from the body and present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).
“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Being found with the Lord of Life doesn’t begin at physical death but it is our present reality. Our union with God in Christ is LIFE, our whole LIFE (Eph 2:7-14, Rm 5:1-2).
The Resurrection and the Life has become our LIFE. Nothing holds greater praise upon the tongue of the saints than the realization that the King of Glory freely gave Himself that we might have LIFE. We walk in this present reality and it establishes our HOPE in this life and in the life to come.
- by Sharon Smethurst, Vice President at Overland Missions
sharon@overlandmissions.com
www.overlandmissions.com