Devotional: John 11:25
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. (NLT)
I have to admit, I love that the most profound statements that Jesus said were often made to women. Here he is speaking to Martha after Lazarus died, clearly stating who he is — and what a statement!
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
For the majority of us, that means our spiritual life will continue. In this case, Jesus demonstrated the amazing power of God in him by raising Lazarus from the dead, one of only two instances where that happened in the Bible. To be honest, I don’t really know where to go with this.
How do you write about resurrection and living even after death, when your current view is so narrow? I’m human, I can barely figure out what to make for dinner each day let alone comprehend such deep things.
Of course no one wants to die, really. We all want to live, and thinking about living even after death can be a wonderful — or a terrible thing. Would it be worse to live a long, long, life and see everyone you know and love pass away? I used to be so afraid of that when I was younger that I was actually afraid to live to see that. Then I grew out of that phase, but started to become afraid about passing on and leaving those I loved behind. The common thread was that fear was there either way.
That’s where Jesus comes in.
There is no need to live in fear if Jesus is in our hearts, because we will always live in him, as he lives in us. That’s why it’s so important for us to love one another; as we live in him and he in us, we all live in each others’ hearts, too. Now I get the parable of being part of the same body!
To say that we hate someone else is saying we hate a part of ourselves, and often, that is really what it is. We hate this or that part of ourselves and take it out on someone else.
For example, Taylor Swift seems to be a target for everyone. All she ever wanted to do was to write and sing the songs she had on her heart, and she dove into that dream wholeheartedly, reaching success at a young age. And what has she gotten for it? People trashing her for what she wears, what she says, who she does or doesn’t date. Honestly, people will find anything they can to pick on her about and why?
Because she chose to devote herself to her dream, and made it a reality?
Because she’s a creative and continues to learn and explore her creativity?
Because she’s a woman with influence?
Because she’s not afraid to speak her mind, or even just do something for fun?
Or is it because they haven’t taken the same time to work for their dreams and hopes, making them come to fruition? That’s usually what it is; envy rearing it’s ugly head.
And it doesn’t have to be someone famous like Taylor, it could be Sally or Juan who lives down the block. People will spew hate on each other for the things the haven’t done in their own lives. Or maybe they also hate others because they are afraid of what they will lose if someone else gains more. Or that they are afraid, period.
When I am afraid I will latch on to anything to try and alleviate that fear. I’m sure that is what others do, too.
So circling back, what — or rather who — is the answer to all of our fears?
Jesus.
We do not have to be afraid, if we choose to believe in Jesus. He is the resurrection and the life — and through him, all our fears that leads to this unnecessary hatred can be released. Trust in him, and trust what he says. Let us love one another as God loves us.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for sharing your love with us, for being the sacrifice for our sins, for being the one who guides us in all things. Thank you for healing us, for guiding us, for being there for us when we are crippled with fear. Thank you for teaching us how to love one another, and how to love ourselves. Amen!