John 11:25 - Experiencing Resurrection Power! (addendum)
John 11:25 - Experiencing Resurrection Power! (addendum)
John 11:25 (NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and
the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
CONTEXT: Jesus The Resurrection And The Life: John 11:17-37.
INTRODUCTION
The Seven I AM Statements Of John's Gospel
One of the distinctives of the Gospel of John is its series of
"I am" sayings of Jesus. Their significance is underlined in 8:58,
in which Jesus announces that "before Abraham was born, I am!" His
hearers understood the implicit claim, for they knew full well that "I
am" is the Greek equivalent of YHWH, Yahweh, the revelatory and
personal name of God that vitalizes the Old Testament. What are the "I
am" statements in John, and how do they display the deity that Jesus
claimed?
* "I am the bread of life" (6:35). Jesus is the One who sustains
physical and spiritual life.
* "I am the Light of the World" (8:12). Jesus is the source of
spiritual enlightenment.
* "I am the Gate for the sheep" (10:7). Jesus provides access to
God and salvation.
* "I am the Good Shepherd" (10:11). Jesus lays down His life for
us, His sheep.
* "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (11:25). Jesus is the
source and giver of life eternal.
* "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" (14:6). Jesus alone
provides access to God the Father and all of the Father's good gifts to
humankind.
* "I am" the true vine (15:1). Jesus is the source of spiritual
vitality. By remaining close to Him we are enabled to bring forth fruit
and so glorify God. [Victor Bible Background Commentary mod]
APPLICATION COMMENTARY with emphasis on verse 25.
Martha's brother, Lazarus, had been in his tomb for four days
when Jesus arrived to speak these words. Why had Jesus waited so long
to come to the aid of His dear friend? The answer is clear: to
demonstrate in no uncertain terms that He is God. The One who gives life can
be none other than the One who "made from nothing the heavens and
the earth" (Genesis 1:1). [The 365 Daily Promise Bible By Barbour]
Mary and Martha had sent their friend Jesus a message about
the critical condition of their brother, Lazarus, and their urgent
need for his help; "Lord, the one you love is very sick" (John 11:3).
But instead of rushing off to Bethany, Jesus stayed where he was for
two days before responding to Mary and Martha's plea. When he did
arrive, he raised Lazarus from the dead in a magnificent display of his
power.
Just as Mary and Martha struggled when Jesus answered their
prayers for Lazarus in a time and way different from what they had
expected, we get frustrated when the. Lord delays in coming to us and
answering our prayers.
As it did for the grieving sisters, two days (or two months or
two years) of waiting can seem like an eternity to us. But in the
midst of the "delay," God is not inactive. He is teaching us patience,
perseverance, and faith and is planning to glorify himself in our
circumstances. While we are waiting, he wants to cleanse our hearts and refocus
us on Jesus. The Spirit always knows what will glorify God, and we
can trust him when we're in the waiting room.
LORD, help me to wait for you in hope and perseverance,
knowing that you will come. Remind me that your plan for Lazarus and his
sisters did not suffer because of your delay - the delay was part of
your plan so that your power would be demonstrated in an even greater
way. Grant me patience and faith in the waiting rooms of life yet to
be. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re John 11:5-7]
Only God can restore life to something that has died. If you
find that your heart has grown cold to God, that the spiritual life
of your family or church has waned, call out to God to revive you,
for only He can give life. It is not your activity but your
relationship with God that brings life!
Spiritual fervor can ebb if left unattended. We all begin our
walk with the Lord enthusiastically, with an excited sense of
anticipation. But over time, busyness creeps in. We become distracted and let
our sin go unchallenged. We may take our relationship with God for
granted and not notice the gradual decline until we find ourselves
drained of spiritual vitality.
This descent can happen in your church just as it does in your
personal life. Do you remember a time when the Holy Spirit was moving
mightily in your church, and the members sensed God leading in an
exciting direction? Are the services now lifeless and the power of God
only a memory?
At a time like this it is futile to try to bring back life
yourself. You can organize many activities and exhort those around you,
but only God can resurrect what is dead. If God has initiated
something in your life, or family, or church, only He can sustain it or
revive it. If you sense that the spiritual vigor has gone out of your
life or the life of your church, this is God's invitation to pray. He
wants you to intercede with Him so that He might revive His work.
Jesus said that He is Life. It is unnecessary to remain spiritually
lifeless when He has promised vibrant, abundant life if you will claim
it. [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re
Hab. 3:2]
"If God is at work week by week raising men from the dead, there
will always be people coming to see how it is done. You cannot find
an empty church that has conversion for its leading feature. Do you
want to know how to fill empty chapels? Here is the answer: Get your
Lazarus." Samuel Chadwick, Methodist evangelist and educator (1860-1932)
[Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re John 11:25,
26]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Grace Notes:
http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
A Better Way to Live:
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources:
http://www.aBible.com
