Verse of the Day 9-18-22

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:25-27

In Jesus’ “I am” statement in verse 25 he identified himself as the fulfillment of resurrection hop and expectations.  This is the fifth of the seven “I am” statements that occur in John’s Gospel.  The promise of resurrection and life is not to be found in some distant future event but is available in the person of Jesus.  Final death (eternal separation from God) is an impossibility for those who have put their faith in him.  Physical death is the doorway to greater life with God and Martha’s emphatic response revealed her devotion.

Now let’s dig deeper into this important “I am” statement that we see here in John chapter 11.  For people who have entrusted their lives to Jesus, physical death is not a tragic end.  It is instead the gateway to eternal life with God.  The words “will live” in v. 25 refer to the resurrection that awaits Christ’s followers.  The words “will never die” in v. 26 mean that although a follower of Christ dies physically, he or she will never experience spiritual death, which involves eternal punishment and separation from God.  Instead, Christ’s followers will be resurrected with new bodies, which will be immortal and incorruptible, ones that cannot die or deteriorate.

Today’s Bible Readings:

Isaiah 28:14-30:11, Galatinas 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12 and Proverbs 23:19-21