I am the Resurrection, and the Life

"I am the Resurrection, and the Life
he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:24-26

It is hard to make all of the verses above part of the title, though I tried. If I just leave it at that first line, it almost comes across as a cliche, often found on hopeful gravestones. Yet the first part tells only part of the story.

Consider Martha's predicament. Her brother, Lazarus, had been very ill. And, because Jesus did not come when He was "supposed to" Jesus is now coming to a funeral, not a scene for a miraculous healing. There seems to be a degree of respectful recrimination in her, "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died." A healing never took place because Jesus was late in coming to the dying brother's side.

But a mere healing, though miraculous, was never Christ's purpose. Something better, something for which she was totally unprepared. Resurrection.

John 5:21-29 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. {22} For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: {23} That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. {24} Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. {25} Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. {26} For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; {27} And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. {28} Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, {29} And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

John 11:24-26 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. {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?