The Resurrection and the Life
Scripture Reading — John 11:17-37
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.
Have you heard the saying “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”? Taxes can be adjusted, but death remains final. One day we will die. At Christmas, with the birth of Jesus, we celebrate his victory over sin and death.
In his “I am” statement today, Jesus claims to be “the resurrection and the life.” Scientifically, it’s easy to reject Jesus’ claim, because, after all, we don’t see the dead coming back to life. But Jesus, the Lord of life, is not bound by the power of death, and his resurrection seals his victory over sin and death for our sake.
Why is the resurrection so important? Because, as the apostle Paul says, if God did not raise Jesus from the dead, our faith is futile and we are the most pitiful of all people (see 1 Corinthians 15:17-19). But by faith generated through the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts, we believe that God did raise Jesus from the dead. And we now enjoy new life in Jesus and look forward to life with him forever. This is no myth or “pie-in-the-sky, by and by” escape from the present; it’s simply the truth at the very heart of the salvation story.
Christmas 2018 is behind us, but we look forward to continuing to celebrate the meaning of Christmas at Easter. Live each day with the joy of Easter in your heart!
Jesus, you came to die for us so that we might live. Now help us, we pray, to live for you. May our lives reflect your love every day. In your name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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