I AM part 3

“I AM”

“I am the resurrection and the life”. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”  John 11:25-26  

                Jesus was a close friend to Martha and Mary and  Jesus then looked up and prayed to God the Father. In his prayer He thanked God for hearing his prayers so that others will benefit from knowing who he is. Jesus then called out loudly, “Lazarus, come out?” The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen around him. He told those watching take off the grave clothes and let him go.   Lazarus was alive and he did not need the binding of linen cloths holding him back from being alive. He was alive.

their brother Lazarus. After Lazarus died, Jesus tried to comfort Martha in her grief by assuring her that he would rise again. Martha believed that this would be true at the end of time, on the last day (v.24) But Jesus had something else in mind. Martha missed the reality that standing before her was Jesus, the one who gives life. Jesus then went to the tomb where Lazarus’ body had been for four days. He asked that the entrance stone of the tomb be removed.

                When a person dies their spirit lives on. Through faith we believe that they have been received by Christ and begin their eternal life. The earthly body can no longer function and so is buried in a special place to remember the individual. Jesus tells us that our earthly life is temporary; what is eternal ifs our lives with God if we believe in Him.

REFLECT:  Jesus raised Lazarus to life and by this he showed that he is lord of both the living and the dead. He is the one who raised Lazarus and he himself rose from death so that we might never die. What does this mean for you as you remember your loved ones?

PRAYER

Thank you God that Jesus rose from death so that we might live eternally. Help, guide and support us as we remember our loved ones who are now with you. Bless us we pray as we continue to tell Jesus’ story to others. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflections suggested through “I Am the Way: The Amazing Claims of Jesus” by Jack Kuhatscheck, ODB Ministries, 2018)