Thursday, May 2nd - John 11 (Ryan Anderson) National Day of Prayer Resources below

Thursday May 2^nd- John 11

Life

“Jesus said to her ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (Jn 11:25).

 

In your experience, are funerals a time for celebration? Is it even possible to have joy in that circumstance?

Jesus is speaking these words to Martha, whose brother Lazarus has been dead for four days. The Jews are performing their customary mourning: three days of very heavy mourning, four of heavy mourning, and then lighter mourning for the remainder of the 30 day appointed period. Thus, being the fourth day since Lazarus’ death, the sisters would begin the period of heavy mourning.

 Martha’s words seem true and a proper response. She knows that Jesus has the power to raise Lazarus on Judgment Day, and even recognizes that if it is God’s will, Lazarus will rise now. But the beauty of these verses is that Jesus does not simply give resurrection and life, He is what the resurrection and life are all about. He is the embodiment of life.

 If Jesus is life, this makes final death impossible for Him. This points us forward to His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Death has no power over life, and the grave likewise had no authority over Jesus. Jesus also allows all who believe in Him to overcome the power of the grave. Life Himself brings life to His people.

Thus, even though it is difficult, funerals are a time for celebrating. We do not celebrate the death of our friends or family members, but we celebrate the life that is ours in Christ Jesus. And we know that just as Jesus lives, we too shall live with Him forever. Thanks be to God for the resurrection and for His gift of eternal life!