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I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: John 11:25

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Teachings of Jesus 2020-21 (50)
“I AM” Sayings of Jesus (6)

Today we continue our study of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus.  Thus far we have examined the declaration of Godhood in this statement, as wall as noting He is “the bread of life” (our sustainer), “the light of the world” (our direction), “the door” (our only entrance), and “the great shepherd” (our guide and protector).  Today we come to one of the most profound declarations, “I AM the resurrection and the life”.  As with each of the other statements, there is great hope in this.  What exactly does this expression mean and what does it imply for us?

 

1. The Context – John 11:1-53
   1. Jesus is nearing the end of His earthly ministry. He is within months, or perhaps weeks of His entering Jerusalem to provide the needed sacrifice.  An description of His teaching of the past 3 years was one of greater intensity as He progressed through His preaching and teaching.  He lessons have become more pointed and strong.  The attacks against Him have intensified in number and in content.  His answers and acts have been more direct and powerful.  BECAUSE “His time” is drawing closer.  The raising of Lazarus was a culmination of His miracles that would lead to swift action by His enemies.
   2. Our text is dealing with the Resurrection of Lazarus. It is recorded like this:
      1. Vs. 1 – Lazarus, in Bethany, brother of Mary and Martha, a family that was very close to Jesus, is sick.
      2. Vs. 3 – they send for Jesus to let Him know Lazarus is sick.
      3. Vs. 4 – Jesus says, it is a sickness not unto death, but for the glory of God and His Son.
      4. Vs. 6 – But Jesus delays 2 days where He was (and the journey to Bethany would be 2 days beyond that.
      5. Vs. 7 – Then Jesus tells His disciples they would go to Judea. But the disciples are concerned because they know the Jews in Judea want to kill Him (they think it was by stoning).
      6. Vs. 9 – Jesus speaks of the daylight and He has work to do.
      7. Vs. 11-13 – He declares that Lazarus is asleep and needs to be awaken. The disciples see sleep as helpful for getting well.  Jesus clarifies that Lazarus is dead.
      8. Vs. 14 – He also declares that He was glad He was not there because what He is about to do would provoke their belief.
      9. Vs. 16 – when they arrive, Lazarus has been dead 4 days and is buried. There is significance in the 4 days as that was substantial time that death could not in any way be denied, even in Jewish traditions (some Jews believed that the soul hovered near the dead body for 3 days and then left).
      10. Vs. 19-20 – Mary and Martha are being comforted by mourners. Martha is told Jesus is there and goes to Him.
      11. Vs. 21 – Martha grieves noting that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died (showing her faith that Jesus had the power to heal him).
      12. Vs. 23 – Jesus declares that Lazarus will rise again.
      13. Vs. 24 – Martha believes this but is anticipating the final resurrection at the last day.
      14. Vs. 25-26 – OUR DECLARATION – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me though he may die, he shall live.”   And He declares that, that life is in Him.   Martha believes (though she may not have fully understood).
      15. Vs. 28-32 – then Mary is told and comes to Jesus and says the same thing Martha did. People follow her thinking she is gong to the tomb to mourn (witnesses!!)
      16. Vs. 33 – Jesus saw her weeping and groaned in the spirit – Jesus was COMPASSIONATE!
      17. Vs. 34-35 – Jesus asks where the tomb is, and then we read, “Jesus wept.” There are 3 recorded instances of Jesus weeping, Luke 19:41 – over Jerusalem, knowing its fate; Hebrews 5:7 is describing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane knowing His fate (Luke 22:41-44ff).
      18. Vs. 36-37 – we again see the divided crowds. Some see Jesus for His compassion (“How He loved him”), while others were questioning His failure to heal Lazarus.
      19. Vs. 38-39 – groaning, Jesus tells them to take away the stone. At first Martha protests because Lazarus had been dead 4 days and would have started decaying.
      20. Vs. 40, Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
      21. Vs. 41-42 – the stone was removed, and Jesus prayed to the Father. NOT for Himself, OR even for Lazarus to be raised, but because He knew the Father had heard Him ALWAYS.
      22. Vs. 43-44 – Jesus declares for Lazarus to come forth. He does and his grave wrappings are removed
      23. Vs. 45-46 – The response – many believed in Him because of this miracle. BUT some went and told the Pharisees.
      24. Vs. 47ff – in darkness the leaders determined they had to get rid of Jesus lest they lose their power. The plot to execute him very soon begins.
2. How is Jesus the Resurrection and the Life?
   1. Our focus in this entire account is the BOLD declaration of Jesus – “I am the resurrection and the life.” So what does that mean?
   2. Jesus is again trying to instill in His disciples that after He dies, He is going to rise again the third day.
      1. The raising of Lazarus was a precursor to His own resurrection. The declaration of Jesus here was fulfilled in HIS own resurrection.    That is where our ultimate hope is found.
      2. This was something Jesus continually emphasized (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:17-19, etc.) , and as we know, even His closest disciples didn’t get it until after He arose.
      3. After He arose, they FINALLY understood. And this became a part of their message after Jesus ascended to heaven.  Consider Acts 2:23-24, Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
   3. While we could spend considerable time presenting evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, and that would certainly be beneficial, that is not the main point of this declaration. I will just say here, there is plenty of evidence both within scripture and the results of His resurrection to be convinced BEYOND a reasonable doubt that He did arise from the dead, AND that such is BY FAR the MOST logical conclusion.
   4. Jesus is declaring His power, even over death and thus over Satan and his dominion –
      1. Notice in our text that Jesus proceeds to say, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:35b).  Death will NOT have dominion over us.
      2. In scripture, death is the dominion and power of Satan
         1. See Hebrews 2:14 notes that Jesus lived as man and died, “that through death He might destroy him who had power of death, that is, the devil”.
         2. It is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23).
         3. And unless one is delivered from his sin, he will die spiritually, and eventually physically unprepared. He will then be doomed of the dwelling place of Satan (cf. Revelation 20:10, 14-15, Matthew 25:41, etc.)
         4. We have been delivered from death through Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:54–57
   5. Jesus is declaring He is our hope of resurrection from the wages of sin.
      1. Not only did Jesus in raising the dead show His power over physical death, but also over spiritual death.
      2. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
      3. Colossians 2:12 – NOTE: The act of baptism is a declaration of this, which is why it is part of God’s plan of salvation (cf. Romans 6:3-4)
   6. How is Jesus the life?
      1. Jesus is the giver of life.
         1. He was there as life with this world began (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3-4 which notes, …In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”)
         2. He can bring back to life that which has died (He did this at least 3 times while on earth for others – Luke 7:11-18 – a widow’s son, Luke 8:40-42 – Jairus’ daughter, and Lazarus), including Lazarus which was thus far the most spectacular, because of its timing (the other 2 preceded burial)
         3. Finally, when He raises us, NONE can defeat it.
            1. Romans 6:8-9 – death no longer has dominion…
            2. See also John 11:26, And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
         4. In raising the dead, Jesus demonstrates that even death cannot keep Him from accomplishing His purpose with Himself AND us. I have come that you may have life.    In Him was life, and the life…
      2. He proved His power (both authority and ability) to be our resurrection by raising Lazarus from the dead. NOTICE how Jesus WAITED 4 days, long enough that there was NO question that Lazarus was dead and had begun decaying.
3. Lesson for us – Are we living with hope in this resurrection?
   1. How can we have hope that we will be raised after this life? If we give up so much, sacrifice for Him, and even willingly suffer to the point of death if necessary, how can know that such was not a waste?  The answer is our HOPE because of His resurrection.
   2. Just as Jesus arose from the dead, so will we –
      1. Romans 8:11, But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
      2. That is the message of 1 Corinthians 15.
         1. Paul begins with a brief apologetic concerning the resurrection of Jesus (naming credible witnesses).
         2. But then he proceeds to describe how because Jesus arose, so will we. In fact, he notes that if Jesus did NOT rise from the dead, our whole system of faith is vain.  In 1 Corinthian 15:19 – if in this life only we have hope …
         3. Then 1 Corinthians 15:22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive…
         4. And he proceeds to describe it as a physical resurrection.
         5. Ultimately, it is our victory.
         6. Philippians 3:9-11 – Paul’s faithfulness is tied to the resurrection. And so is ours.
         7. He boldly declared in Acts 24:15 – I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

1. 1. 4. So what is the ultimate point for us? Consider Colossians 3:1-4.  In obeying the gospel, we have been (spiritually) raised with Christ and we have a hope of physical resurrection.  We NEED to live it!

John said it this way in 1 John 3:1-3 – Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

 

The statement of Jesus that He is the resurrection and life is profound.  It is the source of our hope and motive for living faithful to Him.  We know there is something better than what this life has to offer.  Do you live your life with a hope of the resurrection?  Think about it.