Just before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He spoke these words to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" (John 11:25-26).
When the stone was removed, Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the grave, and he did. Similarly, when you were dead in your sins, God called you by name. You were called to come out of your sins and to experience the power of the resurrection.
Jesus rose as the firstfruits of those called by the Father to eternal life.
Jesus also faced death, but God raised Him from the dead. Jesus' resurrection was physical and spiritual. It was not like Lazarus' resurrection, for Lazarus later died again. But Jesus rose as the firstfruits of those called by the Father to eternal life.
The Bible says that Jesus died, was buried, was raised, and appeared numerous times after the resurrection. Christ's tomb was empty then; it remains empty today. He is our risen Lord and Savior. Even the Romans, with all their power, could not produce His body. The Jewish leaders, with all their hatred and bitterness toward Jesus, could not produce His body. And if the disciples stole His body, as some have asserted, can you imagine the disciples' willingness to die for a hoax they themselves had perpetrated?
Jesus appeared to Mary and told her, "Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'" (John 20:17).
Have you experienced the power of the resurrection? Are you living in triumph or defeat? Jesus conquered the grave, and you also can conquer eternal death—but only by placing your faith in Him. He sacrificially died on the cross for your sins and rose again that you might spend eternity with Him.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your wondrous love. Thank You for the power and promise of the resurrection. You have made me new here and now, and I know Your work in me will come to completion because You are loving, faithful, and almighty. I praise You! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon There Is an 'I' in the 'I am', Part 7: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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