I AM the Resurrection and the Life (Friday)

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Donald Grey Barnhouse was married, but his wife died very young, and he was left to raise three small children. As they were driving back from the funeral, he had his children in the car, and he was wracking his brain, trying to help his children grieve and understand what had happened to their mother. As he was trying to think what he could say to them while he was driving home, all of a sudden, this big truck went by them, and its shadow fell upon their car.

Dr. Barnhouse had a moment of inspiration. He turned to his children and said, “Children, would you rather be run over by a truck or by its shadow?” One of the children in the backseat immediately responded, “Of course, Dad, we’d much rather be run over by the shadow. That can’t hurt us at all.” Dr. Barnhouse said, “Did you know that 2,000 years ago, the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus in order that only its shadow might run over us?”
Death is but a shadow for all of those who believe in Christ.

The great good news of the Gospel message is not only that Jesus died for our sins and was buried but that He rose again! Jesus has done something about death; He has defeated this great enemy totally and permanently! This is what is encapsulated in this statement: "I am the resurrection and the life."

What’s the difference between the resurrection of Jesus and the raising of Lazarus? (hint: Lazarus would physically die again…)

Upon declaring himself as the resurrection and the life, the question “Do you believe this?” is directed at Mary and Martha. Have you stopped to fully answer that question yourself?



Heavenly Father, people who do not know Jesus Christ are forced to fear death, but I can face it because on my behalf Jesus conquered the grave.  Thank you for taking the fear and sting of death away. Thank you for bearing my sins so that I do not have to bear the punishment they deserve. Help me to believe more deeply in the truth of resurrection life.