Jesus Is the Resurrection

John 11:1-44 In the story of the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus is teaching both His disciples and us some very important lessons. The statement that Jesus made in John 11:4 "...it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it. " When Jesus uses the word “glorified”, He is looking forward to His death. The raising of Lazarus was the crest of the hill, after that it was downhill to the cross. See John 11:63. Jesus adds new meaning to life, death and resurrection. In verse 4 He said that “This sickness would not end in death” In verse 14 He told them, “Lazarus is dead” So then Lazarus is both dead and alive? His body was certainly dead, it was decaying and had a bad odor. Notice Jesus' statement to Martha, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? He will live, even though he dies — the life of Lazarus had not ceased to exist. Jesus is joining the “living” Lazarus with his dead body. Jesus, then can say in verse 43, “Lazarus, come out!” Couple Jesus’ statement, I am the resurrection and the life with the resurrection of Lazarus and consider Jesus’ death burial and resurrection. If the disciples could have grasped what Jesus was telling and showing them, they would not have experienced the hopelessness of the cross. Since Jesus is both the resurrection and the life (these are definite articles in the Greek) He was able to raise Himself from the dead. John 10:16 “No one takes it from me, but / lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." He also becomes resurrection and life for us.