John 11:17-27

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

Notes

The Lord Jesus would reveal another part of Himself to His disciples. For their sake, they would witness His work, bringing the dead back to life. His additional claim is that He is the resurrection and life. Only through Jesus is eternal life, and only through Him is the resurrection unto life. Yet a phrase keeps repeating in John’s account: “I AM.” The “I AM” is the name God used to introduce Himself to Moses. When Jesus kept saying He was the “I AM,” He was saying He is One with the Father. Jesus was not only drawing upon the sacred name of God but was making a profound statement of unity with the Father, asserting His divinity.

1. Jesus Arrives

   His disciples aired their concern about the Jews who intended to stone Him, but when Jesus arrived, no one tried to stone Him, and no one tried to arrest Him. Yet everything was set, and the miracle was about to happen. Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days; thus, there was no doubt that he was decomposing.

   
   17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house (John 11:17-20).

   Application: God has a purpose for everything, including death and sickness. Sometimes, even when we think He is late, He is never late. On our part, we must trust Him by trusting His will.

2. He Will Rise

   Martha expressed her faith in Jesus. She believed that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus's death and that Jesus could ask anything from the Father. She did not know that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead that day.

   21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day” (John 11:21-24).

   Application: Sometimes, we can misunderstand the Lord’s words. His disciples misunderstood Him, and Martha misunderstood Him. Therefore, it is necessary that we read and study God’s word cautiously and contextually. We must humbly check and double-check what we think we know.

3. Resurrection & Life

   Jesus declared that He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus is the guarantee of eternal life and the resurrection. One day, through Him, our dead bodies will rise again. However, the claim is not limited to the resurrection and the life; it is also about His identity as the “I AM.”

   
   25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:25- 27).

   Application: We will celebrate our assurance of eternal life in Christ. We believe Him and proclaim that Jesus is the I AM, meaning He is God. Moreover, we believe and will declare His claims. In this context, He is the resurrection and the life.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Describe the setting when Jesus arrived.

2. What does Jesus use of the phrase “I AM” reveal about Himself?

3. What is the implication for us that He is the resurrection and life?