The Resurrection and the Life
Reading: John 11:17-27
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live . . .”
Physical death is an inevitable part of life. Everything that is living dies sometime. Human beings are not different from the flowers that bloom, then wither and die.
There is also spiritual death. Some people are dead inside while still outwardly alive. They are so hardened and uncaring that they can no longer love either God or other people. That is what the Bible means by “dead in trespasses.”
Jesus understood the pain of death. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, his friend. But Jesus knew that death does not have the power to conquer love. Not even death can destroy our relationship with God. Jesus’ giving of himself on the cross won the victory over death forever.
The creative power of God’s love brings resurrection and new life to those who die. With our limited knowledge, we do not understand how this can be. Jesus demonstrated this power with his own resurrection. He promised the same new life to all who put their trust in him. If we do not believe his claim, there is no point in Christianity. This is the central teaching without which we have no renewing power to live. There is no hope for the future.
Jesus is the resurrection. We have the eternal presence of One who brings life-giving power for daily living.
For Reflection: What does the resurrection mean to me?
Prayer Seed:
The strife is o’er, the battle done,
The victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!
Latin, c. 1695
