A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
“I Am the resurrection and
the life.”
(Click on the link below to read the
verses.)
John 11:1-44
[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re looking at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]
We go to school from kindergarten through high school to learn. Some people continue their education by going to college. But sometimes book learning isn’t enough. Sometimes in order to really learn a lesson, for it to truly take root deep in our heart and in our soul, we have to learn a life lesson.
Such was the case
for Martha.
Ever since the
Festival of the Tabernacles, there had been a great deal of conflict between Jesus
and the religious leaders about who he was. In fact, things had become so
contentious that the Jews had threatened to stone Jesus because he had claimed,
“I and the Father are one”.
For his own
safety, and because the time wasn’t right, Jesus had retreated to the other
side of the Jordan River. While he was there, a messenger from Martha and Mary
came saying that their brother Lazarus was very sick, and to come quickly.
Jesus had a very
special friendship with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. In fact, Scripture tells us
that he loved them. Despite that, instead of leaving immediately, Jesus waited
for two days saying that it was “for
God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it”.
When Jesus
arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Martha went to Jesus
and seemed to try and make him feel guilty at first, but then confessed her
belief that God would do whatever Jesus asked of him.
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.” NIV
Martha nailed it! She
knew exactly who Jesus was! He had asked the same question of the Scribes and
the Pharisees, and they didn’t believe it. He asks the same question to you and
to me.
“Do you believe”?
Copyright
No comments:
Post a Comment