Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him, though he die, yet shall he live. These are Jesus’ words. They might be hard to believe. Why? ⎯ because people still die physically. They might still live spiritually and they might be resurrected physically (which are the points that Jesus is trying to make), but they still die physically. For us who still reside here, on good ole Planet Earth, the physical is more real than the spiritual. Jesus’ thoughts might be easier to understand (and believe) if certain concepts are explained. Jesus’ thoughts might be easier to understand (and believe) if they are considered in a certain way. Jesus says that He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus also says that whoever believes in Him, though he die, yet shall he live. What Jesus says is true. But, what Jesus says might be easier to understand if we realize that we might not continue to live now (physically, at least), and that we might not continue to live here on good ole Planet Earth (physically or spiritually).
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” ⎯ John 11:11-15
Consider the context in which Jesus says what He does. His friend Lazarus dies. In fact, Jesus lets Lazarus die in order to prove a point: He (Jesus) is from God. Only God can raise people from the dead. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, Jesus must be from God. Jesus proves His point. In so doing, many people believe He (Jesus) is the Messiah sent from God to save His (God’s) people and (perhaps) the world from sin, death and impending destruction. This is Jesus’ primary concern: leading people to believe that He is from God. The raising of Lazarus is only secondary to this. Lazarus is the evidence that proves Jesus is from God. According to various sources, Lazarus lived for another 30 years after Jesus raised him from the dead. Lazarus is the exception, not the rule. How many people did Jesus raise from the dead? ⎯ very few. Not many are recorded. Those who came into contact with Jesus eventually died. And, with very few exceptions, they stayed dead.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “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. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” ⎯ John 11:21-27
As stated above, people still die physically. When they do, most are placed in the ground. A burial ground is usually referred to as a cemetery. A cemetery is usually thought of as a place of the dead. This concept is incorrect. The word cemetery does not mean “place of the dead.” A place, or city, of the dead is called a necropolis (necro = dead; polis = city). Our English word cemetery comes from the Latin word cemeterium. Like many Latin words, cemeterium is borrowed from the Greek: koimeterion. The Greek noun koimeterion is derived from the Greek verb koimao. The Greek verb koimao means “to put to sleep.” A cemetery is not a place of the dead. It is a place for those who are sleeping. People who are sleeping eventually wake up. This is the concept behind Jesus’ words. Only the body dies. It lies “sleeping” in the ground. The spirit never dies. Eventually, the body will be “woken-up” (raised) and be reunited with the spirit. This concept is evident in Jesus’ words. Jesus is the resurrection because He raises people from the dead. Jesus is the life because He gives life, both physically and spiritually. And, whoever believes in Him, though he die physically, yet shall he continue to live spiritually and (eventually) shall live physically, again.
