Pew bulletin
Fr Vijay’s sermon (I am)
Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:17-27)
Dear Church in Christ, today, we reflect on one of the great “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus spoke these words in a painful situation. Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, had died. The house was filled with grief, questions, and disappointment. Martha came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would have not died.” Many of us understand Martha’s words. We also carry situations that cause us to ask, “Lord. Where were you? Why did you not intervene? Why did this happen?”
Jesus did not ignore Martha’s pain. He entered her sorrow and gave her deeper hope. He did not merely say, “I will perform a resurrection one day.” He said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus taught that resurrection is not only an event in the future. Resurrection is found in a living relationship with Him. Today, let us consider three important truths:
1. Jesus Brings Hope into Places of Death
When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Humanly speaking, the situation appeared hopeless. The stone had been placed over the entrance, and everyone believed the story was finished. But Jesus was not intimidated by the tomb. He asked for the stone to be removed and called, “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had been dead came out alive.
This miracle points beyond Lazarus. It reveals that Jesus has authority over death. He is not simply a teacher who talks about life; He is the source of life and the One who has power over the grave. There may be “tombs” in our lives today. A dream may have died. A relationship may be broken. Faith may feel weak. A person may feel trapped by guilt, disappointment, addiction, or fear. But the message of Jesus is this: No situation is beyond His power.
We may not always receive the exact answer we want or at the time we expect. Jesus did not come immediately when Lazarus was sick. Yet His delay was not neglect, and the silence of God was not the absence of God. Sometimes, Jesus works in ways we cannot yet understand. When we cannot see the answer, we can still trust the One, who is the resurrection and the life. Do not give up because the situation looks dead. Bring it to Jesus. The One who called Lazarus from the tomb can bring hope, strength, and new beginnings into our lives.
2. Jesus offers life, not merely survival.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Notice that He did not say only, “I give life.” He said, “I am the life.” Life is found in Him. There is a difference between merely existing and truly living. A person may have food, work, money, and possessions, yet still feels empty inside. We can be busy outside but tired and discouraged in our hearts.
Jesus offers more than physical existence; he offers more than physical existence. He offers forgiveness, peace, purpose, courage, and fellowship with God. He brings spiritual life to those who feel dead within. When we believe in Jesus, He begins to renew us. He gives us strength to face tomorrow. He teaches us to forgive. He gives us courage to begin again. He reminds us that our value does not come from our success, our possessions, or the opinions of others. Our identity is found in Him. This is why the Christian faith is not simply a collection of religious ideas. It is a relationship with the living Christ.
Martha believed that her brother would rise “on the last day.” That belief was true, but Jesus invited her to understand something deeper: resurrection is not only a future promise; it is present reality in Him. Therefore, if you feel spiritually tired today, come to Jesus. If your heart is burdened, come to Jesus. If you have lost your joy, come to Jesus. He does not merely improve our circumstance; he renews our lives.
3. Jesus Gives Victory Beyond Death.
Jesus continued, “the one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” Jesus was not saying that believers will never experience physical death. Lazarus eventually died again. Rather, Jesus was declaring that physical death is not the final word for those who trust in Him.
Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, death cannot destroy the believer’s hope. For the Christian, death is not the end of the story. There is the promise of resurrection and eternal life with God. This truth gives us courage when we mourn. We still grieve because love is real. We still feel the pain of separation. But we do not grieve without hope.
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Jesus died on the cross, but the grave could not hold Him. He rose again, and because He lives, those who trust in Him have the assurance of life beyond death. This hope changes the way we live today. We do not need to be controlled by fear. We can serve faithfully, love generously, forgive freely, and face difficulties with courage. Our future is secure in Christ. At the end of His statement, Jesus asked Martha a personal question: “do you believe this?” Jesus asks us the same question today. Not merely, “do you understand this teaching not merely, “have you heard this Bible story?” but “do you believe in Me?”
Conclusion
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. When life seems dead, He brings hope. When our hearts are empty, He gives true life. When we face death, He gives the promise of victory and eternal life. So let us not live as people without hope. Let us place our disappointments, fears, families, futures, and souls into the hands of Jesus. Today Jesus is calling someone to come out of tomb of sin, fear, bitterness, or despair. His voice still brings life. His grace still restores. His power is still greater than death. Let us respond as Martha did: “Yes, lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the son of God.” May we trust Him in sorrow, follow Him in daily life, and hope in Him for eternity.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank you because You are the resurrection and the life. Bring hope where there is despair, healing where there is brokenness, and a new life, where we feel spiritually dead. Strengthen our faith and help us trust you, even when we do not understand. Teach us to live courageously because you have conquered death. In Jesus’ name. Amen.