What Does It Mean That Jesus Is The Resurrection And The Life?
Understanding Jesus as "The Resurrection and the Life"
The statement "I am the resurrection, and the life" is one of the most profound declarations Jesus makes about Himself. Found in the Gospel of John, this claim is central to Christian belief, revealing not only who Jesus is, but the hope He offers to all who trust in Him. In this study, we will explore the context, meaning, and implications of Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, grounding our understanding in Scripture.
The Context: Jesus and the Death of Lazarus
Jesus makes this declaration during the account of Lazarus's death. When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days. Martha, Lazarus’s sister, expresses faith that her brother will "rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus responds with these words:
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this? - John 11:25-26 ASV
This moment reveals that Jesus offers more than future hope—He offers present, transformative power over death itself.
Jesus: The Source of Resurrection
The resurrection is not merely an event but is embodied in the person of Jesus. He is the very source and guarantee of life after death. The promise Jesus gives is that all who believe in Him will live, even though they die physically. This echoes the core message of the gospel:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16 ASV
Salvation and eternal life come through faith in Christ, who has defeated death by His resurrection.
Victory Over Death: Christ's Resurrection
Jesus’s own resurrection is the guarantee of believers’ resurrection. Paul writes:
But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:20 ASV
Because Jesus rose, all who are in Him will also rise. This is not only a future hope but a present reality. Paul reminds us:
And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. - Romans 8:11 ASV
Jesus: The Giver of Eternal Life
Jesus not only raises the dead; He is the source of eternal, spiritual life now. For those who trust in Him, spiritual life begins immediately and continues forever:
And this is the witness, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life. - 1 John 5:11-12 ASV
Eternal life is not just endless existence, but a restored relationship with God through Christ, beginning in this world and consummated in the next.
The Assurance and Call to Faith
Jesus ends His declaration to Martha with a direct question: "Believest thou this?" This question is for everyone. Believing in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life requires personal faith and trust in Him alone for salvation. As Paul affirms:
because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:9 ASV
The assurance of resurrection and eternal life comes not from works, rituals, or religious heritage, but through believing in Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death.
Conclusion
To say that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life is to proclaim that He holds power over death and offers eternal life to all who believe. This is the heart of the Christian message: hope, victory, and unending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.