“The Resurrection Is Not Just Coming — He Is Here”
Scripture Focus: John 11:17–37
Jesus didn’t just come to comfort grieving sisters — He came to confront death itself. As we read through this passage, we realize this isn’t just about Lazarus rising again. It’s about who Jesus is, what He came to destroy — including hopelessness, sin, and fear — and how faith clings to Him even when hope seems buried.
💭 Martha’s Faith: Present but Not Expecting
Martha’s words in verse 21 are raw but respectful:
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
She believes Jesus could have prevented the loss — but doesn’t yet expect a reversal. Her theology is sound. She says she knows Lazarus “will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (v. 24). But what she doesn’t yet realize is that Resurrection isn’t just a future promise — it’s standing right in front of her.
🗝️ Jesus’ Declaration: I AM the Resurrection (v.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.”
This is about a death to sin, to our old way of thinking, to life apart from Christ.
Let’s break it down:
“Though he may die, he shall live” — speaks to physical death. Our bodies may go to the grave, but our life in Christ is eternal.
“Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” — points to spiritual life. We don’t pass from life to death anymore — we pass from life to greater life.
This is the gospel:
We were once dead in sin, but alive in Him.
And even when this body sleeps, we remain alive in Christ — awaiting resurrection glory.
💧 Jesus Weeps: Compassion in Full Display (v.35)
“Jesus wept.”
Though He knew resurrection was coming, Jesus allowed Himself to feel the grief of Mary and the crowd. He did not skip over their sorrow — He entered it.
He didn’t dismiss their pain.
He didn’t rebuke their questions.
He wept with them — fully God, fully man, and fully love.
🔁 Death Called “Sleep” — A Reminder of What’s to Come
In the earlier verse (John 11:11), Jesus said:
“Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
Jesus redefined death for the believer.
What the world calls final, Jesus calls temporary rest. That’s how confident He is in the power of resurrection.
📓 Journal Prompts:
Am I more focused on what Jesus can do for me later, than who He is to me now?
What part of my life still feels like “death” — but may just be sleeping, waiting for His voice to call it back to life?
What does it look like to believe in Jesus in such a way that I will “never die”?
🙏🏽 Prayer Prompt:
Jesus, thank You for being the Resurrection and the Life. When I grieve what’s been lost, remind me that nothing is beyond Your reach. Help me walk in faith, even when I don’t expect the miracle. Help me believe that with You, even what seems final is only sleeping. And give me courage to trust You, not only for eternity — but right now. In Your name, Amen.
