Jesus: The Resurrection and Life for Today
Summary
### Summary
Good morning and Happy Easter! Today, we delve into John 11, focusing on Jesus' profound statement, "I am the resurrection and the life." This marks the conclusion of our series on the "I am" statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Our goal has been to understand not just what Jesus has done, but who He is, believing that this understanding will embolden our faith.
In John 11, we encounter the story of Jesus, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, falls gravely ill. Despite being informed, Jesus delays His visit, and Lazarus dies. When Jesus finally arrives, Martha confronts Him with a mix of faith and doubt, saying that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus responds with a powerful declaration: "I am the resurrection and the life." This statement is not just about a future event but a present reality. Jesus aims to untangle our past and bring the hope of the future into our present.
Martha's interaction with Jesus reveals three key aspects: her focus on the past, her shallow religious platitudes, and her distant future hope. Jesus challenges her to see that He is the solution to her present grief and doubt. He then demonstrates His power by raising Lazarus from the dead, showing that He has authority over life and death.
This story is not just about Lazarus but about us. Many of us are stuck in our past, unable to reconcile a loving God with our experiences. Others are caught in shallow religious practices, and some are placing their hope in a distant future. Jesus invites us to believe in Him now, to experience the untangling of our past and the infusion of future hope into our present.
The resurrection of Lazarus is a precursor to Jesus' own resurrection, which we celebrate today. It assures us that death is defeated, and sin is conquered. Our past can be redeemed, and our future hope can transform our present reality. Jesus is the resurrection and the life, offering us a new way to live now.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus Invades Our Present Reality: Jesus wants to invade our present reality, regardless of how we come to Him. He aims to untangle our past and bring the hope of the future into our present. This means that our faith is not just about what will happen one day but about experiencing His transformative power now. [04:42]
2. The Power of Belief: Martha's interaction with Jesus shows that while she had faith, it was incomplete. Jesus challenges her to believe fully in Him as the resurrection and the life. This belief is not just intellectual assent but a transformative trust that changes how we live now. [10:10]
3. Untangling the Past: Many of us are stuck in our past, unable to reconcile a loving God with our experiences. Jesus' resurrection power can untangle our past, redeeming our pain and sorrow. This untangling allows us to move forward with hope and purpose. [13:42]
4. Shallow Religious Platitudes: Martha's initial response to Jesus was a religious platitude, a statement she knew she was supposed to say but didn't fully believe. Jesus calls us out of shallow, bumper-sticker theology into a deep, transformative relationship with Him. [14:55]
5. Future Hope in the Present: Jesus brings the hope of the future into our present reality. The resurrection is not just a future event but a present reality that transforms how we live now. This hope gives us strength and purpose, allowing us to experience the fullness of life in Christ. [17:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:14] - Introduction and Context
[03:26] - Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life
[04:42] - Jesus Invades Our Present Reality
[05:28] - The Story of Lazarus
[08:14] - Martha and Mary's Grief
[10:10] - The Power of Belief
[13:42] - Untangling the Past
[14:55] - Shallow Religious Platitudes
[17:58] - Future Hope in the Present
[21:11] - Jesus' Declaration and Miracle
[24:09] - The Resurrection of Lazarus
[28:18] - Addressing Our Doubts
[33:08] - The Assurance of Jesus' Resurrection
[34:20] - Testimonies of Transformation
[36:17] - Living in the Present
[37:52] - Thomas' Doubt and Belief
[40:01] - Reflecting on Our Own Lives
[41:34] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 11:17-27 (ESV)
> "Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Martha's initial reaction when she heard Jesus was coming? ([08:14])
2. How did Jesus respond to Martha's statement about her brother's death? ([09:30])
3. What does Jesus declare about Himself in John 11:25-26? ([10:10])
4. How did Martha express her faith after Jesus' declaration? ([10:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the resurrection and the life"? How does this statement challenge Martha's understanding of resurrection? ([17:58])
2. How does Jesus' interaction with Martha reveal the difference between intellectual belief and transformative faith? ([10:10])
3. In what ways does Jesus' statement about being the resurrection and the life address the doubts and grief that Martha and Mary were experiencing? ([13:42])
4. How does the resurrection of Lazarus serve as a precursor to Jesus' own resurrection and what implications does this have for believers today? ([33:08])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stuck in your past. How can Jesus' power to untangle the past bring you hope and healing today? ([13:42])
2. Have you ever found yourself using shallow religious platitudes in difficult times? How can you move from these platitudes to a deeper, transformative faith? ([14:55])
3. Jesus wants to invade our present reality and bring future hope into it. What are some practical ways you can invite Jesus into your current struggles and doubts? ([04:42])
4. Martha had a mix of faith and doubt when she confronted Jesus. How can you cultivate a more complete and transformative belief in Jesus as the resurrection and the life? ([10:10])
5. The resurrection of Lazarus was a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over life and death. How does this story strengthen your faith in Jesus' power to transform your life today? ([24:09])
6. Think about an area in your life where you are placing your hope in a distant future. How can you bring that hope into your present reality through faith in Jesus? ([17:58])
7. How can the assurance of Jesus' resurrection help you address and overcome your own doubts and fears? ([33:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Invades Our Present Reality
Description: Jesus desires to be an active part of our present lives, not just a figure of the past or a hope for the future. He aims to untangle the complexities of our past experiences and infuse our present with the hope and power of His resurrection. This means that our faith should be a living, breathing relationship with Him, transforming our daily lives and circumstances. Jesus' statement, "I am the resurrection and the life," is a call to experience His transformative power now, not just in the afterlife. [04:42]
Bible Passage: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck in the past? How can you invite Jesus to bring His resurrection power into that area today?
Day 2: The Power of Belief
Description: Martha's interaction with Jesus reveals that while she had faith, it was incomplete. Jesus challenges her to believe fully in Him as the resurrection and the life. This belief is not just an intellectual agreement but a transformative trust that changes how we live now. Jesus invites us to move beyond shallow faith and embrace a deep, life-changing belief in His power and presence. [10:10]
Bible Passage: "Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'" (John 11:40, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways is your faith in Jesus incomplete? How can you deepen your trust in Him today, allowing it to transform your daily actions and decisions?
Day 3: Untangling the Past
Description: Many of us are stuck in our past, unable to reconcile a loving God with our painful experiences. Jesus' resurrection power can untangle our past, redeeming our pain and sorrow. This untangling allows us to move forward with hope and purpose, no longer held back by the weight of our past. Jesus offers us a way to find healing and redemption, transforming our past into a testimony of His grace and power. [13:42]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a painful experience from your past that still affects you today. How can you invite Jesus to untangle and redeem that part of your life?
Day 4: Shallow Religious Platitudes
Description: Martha's initial response to Jesus was a religious platitude, a statement she knew she was supposed to say but didn't fully believe. Jesus calls us out of shallow, bumper-sticker theology into a deep, transformative relationship with Him. He desires authenticity in our faith, moving beyond empty words to a genuine, heartfelt connection with Him. This means being honest about our doubts and struggles, allowing Jesus to meet us where we are and transform us from the inside out. [14:55]
Bible Passage: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Matthew 15:8, ESV)
Reflection: Are there any areas in your faith where you rely on shallow platitudes rather than genuine belief? How can you move towards a more authentic and transformative relationship with Jesus today?
Day 5: Future Hope in the Present
Description: Jesus brings the hope of the future into our present reality. The resurrection is not just a future event but a present reality that transforms how we live now. This hope gives us strength and purpose, allowing us to experience the fullness of life in Christ. Jesus invites us to live in the power of His resurrection today, experiencing the joy, peace, and purpose that comes from knowing Him. [17:58]
Bible Passage: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you live out the hope of the resurrection in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to experience the fullness of life in Christ today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I believe that Jesus wants to invade your present reality and accomplish two things. He wants to kind of untangle your past and then take kind of the hope that you have in your future and pull it into the present." [04:42] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" [09:30] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The resurrection and life isn't some future event. It's here now, available to you, to all. Jesus is saying, I am the solution to this problem of broken pasts, shallow religious platitudes, and a future hope that's tens of thousands of years away." [17:58] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I have found that many men and women feel like life is hollow and thin. And usually when someone thinks their life is hollow and thin, they're making one of two errors. They're looking back on their past, and going, oh, I wish something would have gone different back here. Or they're looking towards their future and going, ah, today really stinks, but man, in the future, if I could just line these things up, if I could just work a little bit harder, if I could just get these things to go my way, then finally, and when you're stuck in the past or stuck in the future, you hollow out the now." [36:17] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The offer on the table for you and for me this morning is to believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. And to believe that, that's how simple it is, to believe that begins to untangle the past and bring the hope of our future into the present. And in a way that shows that Christ is invading our present regardless of how we've come in." [36:56] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Martha does three things as she gets to Jesus. One, she immediately brings up the past. It's the first thing out of her mouth. It's a legitimate question. If you had been here, my brother would not die. Now, that may or may not be true, right? If you would have come, he would have lived." [10:10] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "For many of us, there's this thing behind us that defines us. It's become a type of identity for us. And we can't reconcile a loving God with what's behind us. One, we can't reconcile that he would love us because of what we've done. And we certainly can't reconcile him being loving when we consider what has occurred to us." [13:42] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When people get in our baptistry and they share what their life's been like without Christ. And one of my favorite parts of the village is the stories we hear. So when people get into this water in front of 1,400 strangers, talk about their addiction, talk about their depravity, talk about horrific, shameful things that they've given themselves over to. And in a moment, what was meant to be shame and guilt becomes atrophied. Atrophied of God's grace. That's the past starting to get untangled." [34:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Where would you be if Christ had not saved you? If I think about my bloodline, if I think about Chandler men over the last 100 years think about where I am today with no knock against my daddy or my daddy's daddy, they did the best they could with where they were. Everything about my life has changed from how I view my marriage and pursue my wife to how I see my children and engage with them to how I spend my money to what I think about friends and their place in my life to how hard I work to what everything's been shaped and molded. By the way, for the better, as future hope has been pulled into the present because I believe that the tomb is empty." [40:01] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're hung up on your past, I'm trying to tell you that if your sinfulness was too much for Jesus, he would still be in the grave. But because he is not, you believing your sin has more power, then his resurrection is hogwash because he's shown that it's been paid in full or he'd be dead. If you still owed, he'd still be dead. He's not, which means he paid it all. The debt's been paid. So what's available to you right now is the resurrection and the life, Christ himself." [40:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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