John 11:23-27
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
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?”
”Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
I will need to resist the temptation to try to “figure out” what heaven is like during the next week. But this verse tells me I will never die, because of my belief and acceptance of Jesus. Words in scripture which are direct quotes from Jesus appropriately give me pause. Jesus tells us we will live in eternity, not die for eternity. I find such comfort in this- knowing my belief in Jesus, my life with the Holy Spirit and my relationship with God will never go away. I will not leave this behind, after my physical death.
Holy one, thank you for leaving us the words of your Son, Jesus Christ, and all of his teachings. They bring such comfort. Amen
Becky, transforming
John 11:23-27
The raising of Lazarus shows Christ's power. His death and resurrection confirms that he conquered death and hell, and that neither of these things can have any hold on us, if we believe and follow him. Jesus conquering life and death is part of what we know about God. When I think about this on a more personal level, I think it is easier to believe yet not seen. I don't have to be afraid of death, for that will be a gift when it is time. God is in charge of all of this craziness and chaos in our world today. There is a reason for us to be here, and many things for us…
John 11:23-27 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
The pragmatist in me has always thought that this can’t be all that there is. Barbara’s friend, a nun, told her she believed that living on earth was hell and heaven came after. However we…
John 11: 23-27
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Martha is one who fussed about her home and was troubled by many things. I can relate to that personality. Martha trusted Jesus and acknowledged that he was the Christ, the Son of God and life everlasting. Martha lived her life by faith and not by what she could see. Heavens doors were open…
John 11:23-27
We occasionally hear about a modern day Lazarus, someone believed to be dead, only to discovered alive in a coffin, morgue or body bag, but no news accounts attribute this to a work of God. For Christian, these rare episodes should bring to mind Jesus’ question, “Do you believe this?“ It is difficult sometimes to put aside the notion that this life is the end all, be all. Jesus reminds us the best is yet to come.
Prayer - God of life, You have given me the precious gift of life, and yet it pales compared to the prospect of eternal life with you and the heavenly host of believers who have gone before me. Yes, Lord, I…