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"I am the resurrection and the life."
John 11:25 |
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I do not suppose that in all
the realm of literature is there a phrase like this. Never has there been such a
claim made by any other human being, never have words so charged with solemn destiny
for the race, fallen from human lips.
If one could only think oneself back to
that scene about two miles from the center of Jerusalem, where a little knot of
people had gathered, including a weeping woman sorrowing for the loss of a beloved
brother, we might gain a fresh concept of their meaning. And there beside the
woman stands the majestic figure of the Lord of Life,
calm, unafraid and conscious of the power He had within Himself. Ever since Job had
asked that question millenniums before: "If man should
die shall he ever live again?" that unanswered question had come
ringing down the corridors of time. And now it finds it's answer.
Martha therefore said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been
here, my brother would not have died." Jesus said to her,
"I am the
resurrection and the Life."
Think of the words again. Sing them
over and over. They are indeed 'wonderful words of life.'
The stupendous claim takes our breath away.
No longer do we speculate about the future,
and what the ultimate end is going to be. This is that one 'divine event
towards which the whole creation moves.' The grave is only a very temporary stopping
place for the body on it's journey to the glad day of resurrection when we shall be made
like Him and receive a body like unto His own glorious body. "Sursum
corda!" the old saints used to say to one another. Life up your hearts!
The sky, not the grave, is our goal. Our destiny is with Him who said,
"I am the
resurrection and the Life."
The
Resurrection of Jesus: Matthew
28: 1 - 7
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe
earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from
heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance
was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow; and the guards shook for fear of
him, and became like dead men.
And the angel answered and said to the woman, "Do not
be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not
here, for He has risen, just as He said."
"Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples
that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there
you will see Him; behold, I have told you." |
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Jesus Appears
to the Disciples: Luke 24
When Mary reported back to the eleven, they didn't
believe, except Peter,
But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in,
he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at that which had
happened. Luke 24:12.
He then appeared to others on the road, but they didn't
recognize Him, and Jesus spoke to them.
"What are these words that you are exchanging with one
another as you are walking?" Luke 24:17.
They told Him about the death and crucifixion of the
"Prophet, Jesus the Nazarene", and about the woman that had told them of His
"disappearance" from the tomb and their sadness as they thought He was going to
stay around and redeem Israel. Jesus then said to them.
"O foolish men and
slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary
for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" Luke 24:25.
Jesus then went on to explain about the "death and resurrection" foretold.
They then rested for the evening and He ate with them. This is when their
eyes were opened so that they could recognize Him, as he broke the bread and blessed it.
Once they had recognized Him, Jesus vanished. This is when they turned to each other and
said: "The Lord has really
risen" Luke 24:34.
Explanation &
Commissioned: Luke 24:36-49
And while they were telling
these things, He Himself stood in their midst. But they were startled and frightened
and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them,
"Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in
your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see,
for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
And when He had said this, He
showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still could not believe it for
joy and were marveling, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and
He took it and ate it before them.
Now He said to them, "These
are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are
written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be
fulfilled."
Then He opened their minds to
understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again
from the dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be
proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are
witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father
upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on
high."
The Ascension:
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 And He led them out as far as
Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
And it came about that while He was blessing them, He parted
from them.
And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple,
praising God.
Luke 24:50-53
May the Lord bless
His word.
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