Saturday, February 11, 2006
John 11:25-26 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
Lazarus raised! Surely proof to Martha and to many others that what Jesus claimed in saying, "I am the resurrection and the life" was true beyond all doubt. And this miracle-sign points to another greater event -- the ultimate proof that Jesus claims are true: His own Resurrection.
Some things which do not appear to be so science explains to us. Air doesn't appear to be full of voices and pictures, but we turn on the TV and find that it is. Science tells us unseen signals are sent and received.
But some things which we cannot see are beyond explanation by science. Science cannot explain love, beauty, or truth, or even why this world and we came to be. Some matters are beyond human investigation, in these we do not listen for the voice of science, we listen for the voice of God.
When it comes to the resurrection from the dead, we stand as Moses did at the Burning Bush. Shoes in hand. And we hear the same voice Moses heard. The great "I AM". JHVH, the covenant God who is the was, and is and ever will be. He who said: "Before Abraham was, I AM", now says, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life."
When Jesus said this He was in a graveyard. He does not deny death's reality and impact as some do today, using words to hide the starkness of human mortality: "passed away," "lost," "no longer with us." But Jesus feels the anguish we feel, the painful separation death brings, and He bursts into tears outside the tomb of His friend Lazarus. But in that cemetery He also says, "I am the Resurrection and the Life" and then proves it by summoning Lazarus back from death.
In another cemetery less than 2 miles distant -- in nearby Jerusalem -- Jesus Himself would return from death, putting the ultimate stamp of credibility on His words. Truly, He who speaks is God Himself.
