January 12

Christ's Teaching About Resurrection

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” — John 11:25-27 BSB

The miracle of raising Lazarus could just as well be called the Awakening of Martha. Jesus lifted her faith and hope to remarkable heights as they stood together in the midst of deep sorrow.

Like many people, Martha believed in a future resurrection, but she had not yet grasped that God lives in the present tense, that He is the "I AM" right here and now. We often place God's power in the distant past or far-off future, thinking that heaven and earth only touch at the horizon. But Jesus shows us that He is the immediate answer to our needs, even in the most common and prosaic moments of life.

Christ's teaching about the resurrection differs significantly from mere immortality. While philosophers like Plato believed in the immortality of the soul, resurrection means the reunion of body and soul. Just as a sheaf of corn springs from the seed sown into the earth, so our resurrected bodies will be both identical to and different from the ones laid in the grave.

Martha may not have fully understood Jesus' teachings, but she responded with faith because of who He was. She trusted that as the Messiah, whatever He said must be true. In the same way, we can accept what we do not yet fully understand based on Jesus' word.

Christ always needed faith in someone to act as a foundation for His miracles, and He found it in Martha. What could He not do, even today, in the hearts of those who are slow to believe or spiritually dead? Do you believe this?

Prayer

O God of Life and Love, You have filled our hearts with unspeakable joy. We thank You that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and that those who believe in Him will never die. He lives, and we live! We thank You, praise You, and bless You. Amen.