#52 CHRIST—THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE 8-29-26

These words of Christ seem to gather all of heaven into one sentence. When Martha stood weeping at the grave of her brother Lazarus, Jesus did not merely tell her that a resurrection was coming. He did not simply promise that death would someday be defeated. He looked into the face of a grieving woman and declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

Notice the words. He did not say, “I can give you resurrection.” He said, “I am the resurrection.” He did not say, “I can point you toward life.” He said, “I am the life.” Resurrection is not merely an event. Life is not merely a gift. Both are found in a Person, and that Person is Jesus Christ.

THE PRICE HE PAID

Before Christ could come forth from the tomb, He had to go into it. Before there could be an empty grave, there had to be a bloody cross. The resurrection morning cannot be understood apart from Calvary.

Jesus did not purchase our redemption with silver or gold. He purchased it with His precious blood. (1 Peter 1:18–19) He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. (1 Peter 2:24) He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)

What a price!

The hands that had touched the sick were pierced. The feet that had walked the dusty roads of Galilee were nailed to the cross. The brow that deserved a crown was crowned with thorns. The One who spoke worlds into existence allowed Himself to be mocked by the very creatures He had made.

And why?

For us.

The cross was not an accident. It was not a tragedy that God failed to prevent. It was the great purpose of redemption being accomplished through the willing sacrifice of the Son. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)

The price was paid in full.

THE PROMISE HE MADE

But Jesus did not leave His disciples with a dead Savior and a sealed tomb. He made a promise that death itself could not cancel.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)

What a promise!

Christ does not merely promise life after death. He promises Himself. He is our life now, and He is our hope beyond the grave. The believer may enter the valley, but Christ is there. The believer may face the grave, but Christ is there. The believer may close his eyes in death, but Christ remains the resurrection and the life.

Death may take the body, but it cannot take Christ.

The grave may receive the believer, but it cannot hold what belongs to Christ forever.

That is why Paul could write, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

The Christian’s hope is not wishful thinking. Our hope rests upon an empty tomb.

The grave of Jesus is different from every other grave. Other graves contain people who are waiting for resurrection. His grave became empty because He Himself is the resurrection.

THE PLACE HE STAYED

There is something else that ought to capture our hearts. Jesus was not raised merely to walk out of a tomb and return to ordinary earthly life. Lazarus was raised and eventually died again. Christ rose never to die again. He conquered death permanently. Death no longer has dominion over Him. (Romans 6:9)

And after His resurrection, He ascended into heaven.

The One who was laid in a borrowed tomb now reigns upon the throne of heaven.

The One who was rejected by men is exalted by God.

The One who wore a crown of thorns now wears glory.

The One whose hands were nailed to a cross now intercedes for His people. (Hebrews 7:25)

Where is Christ now?

He is not in the tomb.

He is not hanging upon the cross.

He is at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

And He has gone to prepare a place for His own. “I go to prepare a place for you,” He told His disciples. (John 14:2)

Think about that.

He paid the price.

He made the promise.

He prepared the place.

And because He lives, those who belong to Him have hope.

The resurrection is therefore more than an empty tomb. It is heaven’s declaration that the sacrifice of Christ was accepted, the power of sin was broken, and death had been defeated. The stone was rolled away, not so Jesus could get out, but so that the world could see that He was already gone.

The tomb could not hold Him.

Death could not conquer Him.

The grave could not keep Him.

And because He lives, there is hope for every sinner who comes to Him in faith.

Martha thought Jesus was talking about something that would happen someday. Jesus showed her that resurrection was standing right in front of her.

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

That is still the answer.

Not merely resurrection.

Not merely life.

Christ.

Christ is our resurrection.

Christ is our life.

Christ is our hope.

Christ is our home.

And when our journey through this world is finished, we will discover that the One who met us at the beginning of faith is the same One who will meet us at the end of the road.

The price He paid was sufficient.
The promise He made is certain.
The place He stayed is prepared.

And the Savior who rose from the grave will one day raise all who belong to Him.

Hallelujah.

___________________

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are not merely the giver of resurrection and life. You are the Resurrection and the Life. Thank You for the price You paid at Calvary, for the promise You made to those who believe, and for the place You have prepared for Your people. Teach us to look beyond the grave and see Your glory. Amen.

BDD