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Jesus has made a way to escape death, to never die. He first gave that promise to a woman grieving the loss of her brother. Today we begin following Jesus to the cross. As Jesus entered the Jerusalem area for the last time, he performed a significant miracle just outside of town. This miracle centered around a man named Lazarus—who was dead and buried. Let’s consider Jesus’ words to Martha, one of the dead man’s sisters.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Martha met up with Jesus as he approached the city (Mary, Lazarus’ other sister, stayed home. We’ll consider her interaction with Jesus tomorrow). Martha didn’t hide her feelings. She knew that Jesus had power over sickness, so she openly poured out her emotions, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise again, Martha thought Jesus was consoling her with comforting theology—the resurrection of the dead on the last day. Then Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He was not just a miracle worker! He possessed in his person the eternal power to ensure that no one would ever have to die!

The promise of Jesus is eternal life…starting today. Trusting in him alone as our Savior allows us to escape death. Sure, our bodies wear out and stop functioning (Lazarus died twice!), but through Jesus, we have the promise that death has no power over us. We simply pass from life, as we know it, to eternal life with the Lord.

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking the sting out of death. Thank you for dying so that we could live. Thank you for the promise that one day we will pass from this life to eternal life. Thank you for being there to lead us home. In your name, we pray. Amen.