The Resurrection and the Life

The Resurrection and the Life

Apostle Felix Mulamata

25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live 26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. John 11: 25 – 27

The death of Lazarus drew so much attention from the public because of his closeness to Jesus. People had heard about Jesus’ ability to raise people from the dead. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha had so much hope that their brother will not die once Jesus showed up at home. But Jesus did not response to the call to go and see his friend, Lazarus who was very sick.

He decided to linger on and declared that Lazarus sickness was not unto death. Jesus’ delay was so disappointing for Mary and Martha. I would like to believe that they had assured Lazarus and the people around about Jesus’ coming.  His coming was the only hope. The doctors had failed and surrendered Lazarus to his fate.

Jesus has this tendency of seemingly coming when the situation is at its worst. It can be very frustrating, especially when one has done all the praying and believing and yet is not responding at all. This is when faith is tested. Faith is not having your way all the time. It is trusting God all the way. Even when the situation looks dead and buried, but yet you continue believing that God is able to raise up.

Your situation can look like a hopeless situation, nothing can be done about it. It is beyond restoration. It is too late to do anything about it. Martha and Mary felt the same. It was too late. Jesus came too late, after Lazarus had been buried for four days. There is nothing that can be done about it. They agreed to go and show Jesus the grave site for Jesus to have a closure. He was not going to the grave site for closure. He was there to close a chapter on the people’s grief.

33  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. John 11: 33, 34

Jesus asked where they had laid Lazarus’ body. You should not be afraid to show the Lord where you have laid your failure, frustration and disappointments. We can easily hide them behind smiles, perfumes and spirituality, while been suffocated by the smell. Gather enough courage to remove the mask and Jesus will be able to do something about the very thing we thought can never revive. The two sisters protested to the decision to remove the stone. Logically, it was unthinkable for someone to remove the stone from the tomb of someone that had been dead for four days.

The body started to decompose, and by that time the body was smelling. Yet, Jesus asked for the stone to be removed because He is the resurrection and the life. He cannot be intimidated by death. He called Lazarus forth and he came hopping out of the tomb. That which was possible came back to life. Jesus did not come late, He was at the right time so that the Father’s name could be glorified.

40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11: 40