Whose Life is it Anyway?

Martha said to Him, “I know that he [Lazarus] will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live…” John 11:24-25

You’ve got to admit that after carefully reading the words of Jesus, one cannot honestly walk away saying, “He was just a great teacher.” His fellow Jews knew this and were always asking Him if He were the Christ (Messiah). And He said, “I told you, but you didn’t believe Me.”

Historical witness tells us when answering that question to Israel’s religious leaders in the positive, their response was to shout “Blasphemy!” Then they manipulated the Roman authorities into executing Him.

But, there’s that well-worn saying, “You can’t keep a good man down.” And with authority from God His Father, He had the say when He could lay His life down, and when He could pick it up again (John 2:19, 10:18,). It was His to do with when and how He pleased (Luke 23:46). At the tomb of his beloved friend, Lazarus, after He made the astonishing declaration that He was the Resurrection and the Life, He asked Lazarus’ grieving sister the question we all must answer, “Do you believe this?”

Jesus did not come out of that grave alone.  No, the Bible teaches He was the firstborn from the dead with all supremacy (Colossians 1:18). When He exited that tomb bodily, being very God of very God, future millions, perhaps billions, who would believe on Him, followed behind.

 To crush Christianity at the start, all the religious leaders of Israel had to do was simply produce the body.  They could not, because it was not there.  There’s never been an adequate explanation how His followers could have stolen His dead body while the Roman guard detail slept.  For a soldier of Rome, being found asleep at their post carried the gravest consequences (Matthew 28:13-14).

It's called Easter, but I prefer “Resurrection Day.”  The tomb is empty.  Listen to His words; “I am the resurrection and the Life.  Do you believe me?”  If you have not already answered that, you will have to, either now or at a future time.  The Firstborn from the dead who is the resurrection and the life.  Do you believe Him? Your answer has eternal consequences for He is risen.  Yes, He is risen, indeed.

Ken