John 11:25-26

Jesus received word that His close friend Lazarus was sick. Everyone expected Jesus to rush to Bethany immediately. Instead, He stayed where He was for two more days. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. In Jewish belief of that time, the soul departed completely on the fourth day. Four days meant it was over.

Martha met Jesus on the road. Her first words reveal where her faith was: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21). She was looking to the past. When Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again," she replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day" (John 11:24). Martha had faith in the past and faith in the future, but she did not have faith for the present moment.

That is when Jesus declared: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). At this point, nothing had changed. Lazarus was still dead. The tomb was still sealed. Yet Martha answered: "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:27). After Martha declared her faith, Jesus went to the tomb. He called out, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43). And the dead man came out alive.

Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the tomb, He first raised Martha's faith. And when she believed, the miracle followed. The same Jesus who was with Martha is with you today. Whatever feels finished in your life, He asks you: "I am the resurrection and the life. Do you believe this?"

"I am" (ἐγώ εἰμι / ego eimi)

Ego eimi means "I am." In the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly uses this phrase in a way that echoes God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). By saying, "I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus is speaking about His identity.

"The resurrection" (ἡ ἀνάστασις / hē anastasis)

Anastasis means "rising up" or "standing again." In the New Testament, it refers to resurrection from the dead. The resurrection Jesus speaks of leads to eternal life. Martha believed in a resurrection that would come at the last day. Jesus revealed that resurrection is not only a future event but also a reality made possible by Him who is standing before her.

"Will never die" (οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα / ou mē apothanē eis ton aiōna)

Ou mē is the strongest negation in Greek, expressing an absolute certainty: "certainly not," or "never." The phrase eis ton aiōna means "forever," or "for all eternity." Jesus is making a powerful promise. Those who believe in Him will never ultimately be separated from the life He gives. The life He gives is eternal and cannot be taken away.

"Do you believe this?" (πιστεύεις τοῦτο / pisteueis touto)

Pisteuō means to believe, to trust, or to place confidence in someone. In the face of impossible circumstances, in the presence of death itself, Jesus is asking whether we trust who He is. This is the question Jesus asks every person who follows Him.

I declare that the words of John 11:25-26 are true in my life.

• • Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
• • I believe in Jesus Christ.
• • In Jesus Christ, I have eternal life.

Jesus,

Thank You for declaring that You are the resurrection and the life.

At times, I felt like it was too late. I struggled to trust You in the present moment.

Today, I answer Your question. Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God. I believe that You conquered death and rose from the grave.

Like Martha, I choose to place my faith in You not only for the past or the future, but for this very moment.

I bring before You everything in my life that feels finished. Just as You called Lazarus out of the tomb after four days, You can bring life to what seems over in my life. Where You are present, death cannot have the final say.

Thank You that it is never too late when You are present.

Thank You for the hope that You give me.

In Your name I pray, Amen.