John 11: 25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
The Lord is on His way to the tomb of Lazarus when Martha, Lazarus' sister, comes out to meet him. In verses 20-27 there is an exchange of statements between Martha and the Lord. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it unto thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha was quick to state her mind. She knew some things. She called Jesus, Lord. She had some knowledge that He was able to sustain life. She knew that whatever He asked of God, God would grant. She even had some knowledge of the resurrection. But what was it that Martha missed?
The Lord tells her boldly, I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE. Though we may speak of Christ's teachings we have no life outside of Christ. Scripture does not say that God "hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places." It says God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN CHRIST. Scripture does not say that God has "chosen us before the foundation of the world." It says that God has chosen us IN HIM before the foundation of the world. Scripture does not say "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate." It says for whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
If we know Christ then the doctrines become a shadow of He who means everything to us. Christ is not one who simply has the power to resurrect, or give life…HE IS THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE. If all our hope is in Christ then, at this present moment, we have eternal life. The Lord says to Martha, He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. The Lord tells Martha…if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Believers may die, physically, but they shall continue to live, spiritually.
The
Potter took a lump of clay fashioned it as he would
ve it to his only Son who filled the vessel full
Fragile though the vessel is by the treasure it contains
When the vessel is but dust life in Christ remains
Believest thou this? This is the question the Lord asks Martha. This is the question we must ask ourselves. Does our hope rest only in doctrine? Or do we set our affection on Christ, the Resurrection, and the Life? It should be our prayer that God would gives us the wisdom to answer as did Martha, She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
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