The Resurrection and the Life

by Jill Rhodes

January 2005

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life;  he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26

"Listen beneath your pain for the voice of Abba God: 'Make ready for My Christ
whose smile, like lightening, sets free the song of everlasting glory
that now sleeps in your paper flesh like dynamite.'"
Brennan Manning

It was a miracle of miracles that would lead straight to the cross.  Jesus knew it... the disciples feared it... the religious leaders made sure of it.  And yet love drew Him to death's door, not once, but three times.  First to Jairus' daughter, then to a widow's son, and finally to a beloved brother.

Three times He would confront the prince of darkness as he stole away another soul... three times He would conquer death's grim procession - in an upper room, at a funeral march, and finally at an occupied tomb.  And three times He would soundly drive a nail into death's coffin of eternal doom.

Three nails and three days that would transform those who were once dead so that they could walk in newness of life.  It was what Jesus had been waiting for, it was what He had come to do, and it was why - on the way to Calvary - he stopped by an upper room, a funeral, and the tomb of a friend.  Then, having boldly confronted death one on one, He resolutely climbed a hill and conquered death once for all.

And because of a death that He was willing to die, a grave that He was willing to fill, we who were once dead can walk in newness of life.  What a difference three nails and three days can make!  These three deaths are living proof!

Come and See

A Daughter Restored

1.  Read Luke 8:40-56.  Who was Jairus?  What did he want Jesus to do?

2.  To what lengths would you go to bring help or healing to a loved one?

3.  What commands did Jesus give before raising the girl to life (v. 50, 52, 54)?

4.  Why do you suppose Jesus sometimes told those He healed to keep silent (v.56), while other times He told them to share the miracle with others (Luke 5:14, 8:39)?

"Death is the beginning of life.  After taps, comes reveille."
Journal of the American Judicature Society

A Son Returned

5.  According to Luke 7:11-17, who had died, and who was burying him?
     How did Jesus respond?
     What does this teach you about the heart of Jesus?

6.  How did the crowd respond to this miracle (v.16), and what was the result (v.17)?

7.  What miracle has God performed in your life when you least expected it?
     What did you learn about Him through it?

8.  Who do you know experiencing grief, and how can you reach out to them in a compassionate way this week?

     Take a moment and pray that God will give you a special opportunity to minister to them.

"There is not one life which the Life-giver ever loses out of His sight;
not one which sins so that He casts it away;
not one which is not so near to Him that
whatever touches it touches Him with sorrow or with joy."
Phillip Brooks

A Friend Revived

9.  Read John 11:1-46.  How long had Lazarus been dead by the time Jesus finally arrived (v.17)?
    Why did Jesus deliberately delay in going to Bethany (v.4-6, 15)?

10.  Martha and Mary were dismayed and disappointed when Jesus did not respond immediately to their need.  When are you most disappointed with the Lord?

11.  Why would Jesus weep when He knew Lazarus would live again (v. 33-36)?
       How is this an encouragement to you?

12.  Why do you think the Lord uses the darkest of circumstances to shine forth His glory?

"Christ has made of death a narrow, starlit strip between the
companionships of yesterday and the reunions of tomorrow."
William Jennings Bryan

The Road to Emmaus - The resurrection power of the Lord is evident throughout the Scriptures.  Consider the following passages:

- In Psalm - Psalm 30
  How many different words are used to describe death in this psalm?

- In Prophecy - Ezekiel 37:1-14
  What parallels can you draw between this prophecy and the raising of Lazarus?

- In Parable - Luke 16:19-31
  What are the characteristics of the two places described in this story?

Come and Follow

13.  What is most remarkable to you about the power of Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life?
      How will this make a difference as you face difficult and dark circumstances in the future?

14.  What in your own life is so far dead and gone that Jesus cannot bring back to life?

"You who are the Resurrection and the Life,
keep me ever under the spell of immortality."
Henry Gariepy

Name Above All Names

"At the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."  Philippians 2:10-11

~ The Lifter of My Head ~ Psalm 3:3

~ The Restorer of My Soul ~ Psalm 23:3

~ A Great Light ~ Isaiah 9:2

~ The Prince of Life ~ Acts 3:15

~ The Power of God ~ 1 Corinthians 1:24

~ A Life-giving Spirit ~ 1 Corinthians 15:45

~ Christ Our Life ~  Colossians 3:4