Only Jesus

Read:

John 11:25-26 “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?’”

Think:

"Is there life after death?" This profound question has been asked throughout history, including by Job in one of the oldest books of the Bible. After the tragic loss of his ten children, Job wondered, "If a man dies, will he live again?" Death and its power loom over life, but the only one who has complete and utter control over it, both now and in eternity, is Jesus.

In John 11, Jesus received word of his good friend, Lazarus’ illness, but he deliberately delayed his departure. Mary, Lazarus’ sister, may have wondered what took him so long. She believed in Jesus' ability to heal her brother. But Jesus desired something more – for Mary to declare her faith in him as the giver of eternal life. 

Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life." This statement not only affirmed his divine nature as God, but also emphasized his power over death. In other words, eternal life comes only through faith in Jesus as God. And then Jesus illustrated his point by doing the impossible – he raised Lazarus from the dead. 

Apply:

Do you believe Jesus has control of life and death? You can trust him.

Pray:

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that you are the one who holds my life in your hands, and I willingly surrender all control to you. I give you my worries and my fears and trust your direction for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.