Friends in Christ Weekly Message
March 12, 2005

     You don't have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?
John 11:25-26 (Message*)

There is life in the purely physical sense and there is life in the spiritual sense which transcends this purely physical life. Christ has power over both. This passage is part of the story in which Jesus raises Lazarus, dead and buried for four days, from his physical death. As amazing as such an act is, it is not the greatest way in which Christ can bring us life.

Jesus is assuring Martha in this passage that all who believe in Him will live in the ultimate sense, even though we die in the normal physical sense. Jesus is resurrection and life, and when we put our faith in Him, we experience this both as long as we live our normal physical lives, and after we die. This truth allows us to live fully in the here and now, and not have fear of our physical death.

The question Jesus asks is not only for Martha, but for each one of us. Do you believe Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life? I hope you experience the peace and joy which comes from faith that He is. But if you don't, know that Jesus is not just asking but is also inviting you to share in His resurrection and life. This is an invitation you should not refuse.

Bill Samuel

* The Message version ©2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.

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