Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Tonight’s Study, Session 36: I Am the Resurrection and the Life
Introduction: “I am the Resurrection and the Life” is the fifth of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus found in the gospel of John. This statement was made in regards to the death of Jesus’ good friend Lazarus. Jesus was able to make this statement because He was sent to the world by the Father to be the Savior of mankind by having the power to give eternal life and the power to raise the dead unto eternal life after death.
The statement “I am the Resurrection and the Life” is found in John 11:25.
Scriptural Context Where “I am the Resurrection and the Life is Found
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get well.”
However, Jesus’ spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” So, when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now 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 of 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 at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever 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 to come into the world.” And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town but was in the place where Martha met Him.
Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
(John 11:1–44)
Lazarus was dead. Earlier, Jesus heard that His good friend was sick, but instead of going to visit Lazarus, Jesus stayed where He was for two more days (John 11:6). He explained to His puzzled disciples that the sickness was for God’s glory, that God’s Son may be glorified through it (v.4). After Lazarus died, Jesus began a journey to Bethany, Lazarus’ home. Significantly, when Jesus informed His disciples that Lazarus was dead, He simply said His friend was “asleep and He was going to wake him up” (John 11:11).
When Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” He was claiming to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, and there is no eternal life apart from Christ. Beyond that, Jesus was also making a statement concerning His divine nature. He does more than give life; He is life, and therefore death has no ultimate power over Him. Jesus gives this eternal life to those who believe in Him and are born–again. All who believe in Him and are saved share in His triumph over death (1 John 5:11-12). Believers in Jesus Christ will experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, it is impossible for death to defeat us (1 Corinthians 15:53-57).
1 John 5:11-12 – And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 Corinthians 15:53-57 – For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The grieving Martha wished that Jesus had arrived earlier so He could have healed her brother. And when Jesus spoke of resurrection, Martha assumed He was speaking of “the resurrection at the last day.” In her statement, Martha reveals that she considered time an insurmountable obstacle. In effect, Martha was saying, “It’s too late to help Lazarus (the time is past), so now we must wait (allow more time).”
Jesus shows that neither death nor time is an obstacle to Him. Outside the tomb, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth” (John 11:43). It’s one thing to claim to be the Resurrection and the Life, but Jesus proved it by raising Lazarus, who was dead four days. Death has no dominion over Him who is life itself, nor does death have dominion over those who are in Him (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Because He lives, we live! Because he is Life, we have life eternally!
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 – So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
Practical Application of Knowing Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life
In daily life
- Live a forgiven life: Jesus’ death and resurrection provide forgiveness for sins, allowing us to move past failures without being defined by them.
- Experience transformation: The power of the Resurrection can transform every aspect of our life, leading to greater integrity, generosity, and service, and shaping how we interact with others.
- Pursue holiness and renewed relationships: We can be empowered to turn away from sin and pursue a life of holiness. This includes extending love and forgiveness to others, which should also mark our relationship with family, friends, and communities.
In overcoming hardship
- Face challenges with courage: Believing that Jesus conquered death gives us courage to endure life’s tragedies and the wisdom to find joy in its delights.
- Find a “living hope”: We can find a “living hope” that provides encouragement through life’s uncertainties. This hope is based on the future certainty of eternal life with Christ.
- Stand firm against adversity: Knowing we are born-again and have a living hope can strengthen us to stand firm and be strong in the Lord during attacks, whether mental, emotional, or spiritual.
In living with purpose
- Live with eternal priorities: Knowing eternity is real can change how you view your time, money, and energy. We can be motivated to make eternal priorities a part of our daily routine.
- Serve energetically: Our labor for the Lord is not in vain. We can give ourselves fully to the work of God, empowered by the grace that is available to us, knowing that our efforts have eternal value.
- Embrace a new spiritual identity: The resurrection of Christ signifies being made spiritually alive. We are no longer defined by our sins but by a new spiritual life in Christ.
Conclusion: Jesus’ statement that He is the resurrection and the life provides a godly perspective on several spiritual matters. Martha believed that the resurrection was an event; Jesus showed her and us that the resurrection is a Person. Martha’s knowledge of eternal life was an abstract idea; Jesus proved that knowledge of eternal life is a personal relationship. Martha thought victory over death was a future expectation; Jesus corrects her, showing her and us, that victory is a present reality. Jesus truly is the Resurrection and the Life!
Next Week, Session 37: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life