I Am – The Resurrection and The Life
Does the fact that Christ rose from the dead make any difference to you? This Online Study will help you.
Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EDT.
Has someone you love died? Then you know the feelings death detonates in your body: anger, self-pity, depression, confusion, grief, anguish.
Scripture tells of Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus, who was sick. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, quickly sent word. “Come, Lord, and save him!” But incredibly, Jesus didn’t come. Lazarus died. The sisters entombed Lazarus and sank into grief and confusion. Where was the Lord? Jesus could’ve saved their brother! Weren’t they his closest friends? Four days later Jesus finally showed up! Martha, beside herself with grief, accused, “Jesus, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” John 11:1-43
Jesus quietly answered, “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” (John 11:25-26)? I don’t think Martha had a clue what He meant. Would you?
They walked to the tomb and Jesus commanded the stone sealing the entry be rolled away. Then, stunning everyone, he commanded, “Lazarus, come out!” Instantly Lazarus stood before him! Alive! Jesus ordered the grave clothes removed and mayhem followed as incredulous onlookers gawked and shouted, pushing and shoving to get a better look. Did anyone pinch Lazarus to see if this miracle was real? I would’ve.
Jesus’ name is The Resurrection and The Life. His dying is mankind’s only hope, then and now.
Resurrection in Greek means anastasis: literally a resurrection from the dead; a standing up again. Can we wrap our minds around that? Jesus promises to stand us on our feet again. Not just when we die but when we fail or sin. Faith in Him opens the door for this miracle of new life, eternal life.
Lazarus is Jesus’ ‘show and tell’ of His power to stand men up again. Jesus later demonstrated His power over His own death by rising on the third day after crucifixion. He has the authority and power to lay down his life and stand up again alive. John 10:18 He is resurrection. He is life. No other god has that power.
Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe Him. “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:9).
Jesus wakened Lazarus from death so Jesus would get glory, people would see His glory and believe, and so Lazarus would live again.
Do you know this astonishing God who raises dead folks? Who lifts us into abundant newness of life now no matter our trials and heartaches and promises a tomorrow seated next to Him in Heaven?
Ask Him if He’s real. Test Him and see if He answers. But watch out, Jesus will call your name, remove your grave clothes and stand you on your feet. Forever.
Father of Life, resurrect me from my grave and unwrap me to newness of life. I believe, help my unbelief. Thank you, amen.
Questions: Do you know this Jesus who is ”The Resurrection and The Life”? If you know Him, what difference has He made in your life?
About the Author Petey Prater
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Cross: Why we Believe, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Tags: anger, anguish, confusion, crucifixion, depression, eternal life, Greek, grief, hope, Lazarus, resurrection, self-pity, tomb
23 Responses to “I Am – The Resurrection and The Life”
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Kanj, You are welcome! I have been a practicing Christian for 50 years. Tho I have failed Him many times, Jesus has never failed me. : ) I have traveled to many countries, seen many things, NOTHING EQUALS JESUS.
He is worthy of all praise and worship. Seek His presence, His face, you will never regret it. Petey Prater
Peter, thank you for your kind and comforting words. Bless you,
Kanj
tracy i am praying for you and your husband
For Tracy: Father God, I call You alongside Ian and Tracy right now. They desperately need Your guidance in their lives. Cause them to choose You to lead them thru this valley place. Help them find counseling that is Biblical and that will help them both be accountable – to You and to one another. Teach Tracy how to ‘tough love’ Ian. He must deal with his problems or they will be at this same spot in another 20 years. Give Tracy wisdom in what she requires of him. He has been unfaithful. He must decide if he values this marriage and is willing to woe and win Tracy back. Do not let her settle for less than You deisre or enable Ian to continue his undisciplined behavior. Show Tracy where her boundaries are. We cry out for Your insight for them both, a willingness to do the hard work to make this marriage accountable and pleasing to You and to one another. We cry to You for help, Lord. Show them the way and cause them to learn to walk in the way. Thank you, Father. Amen.
Hi Kanj, Welcome to the family of God! The best way to grow is to read the Bible every day, asking God for insights and to help you grow. Pray expecting answers in Jesus name. Get involved in a solid church that agrees with the Bible. Join a smaller group there and ask them to help you stay accountable to the Word of God. Find a place to serve in the church so that you have to lean on the Lord to help you. Praise Him outloud every day asking Him to mature you and show you your true identity in Jesus Christ. Stay in Him and find even greater joy. blessings, petey
Hi Ian came home yesterday acting normal I was very fearful on Wed night that he was going to kill himself. Yesterday he joined me at or churches Christian celebration of the passover meal. He has told me what has happened and says he is grounding himself ? Anyway he has a meeting onWed with bosses at work but is going to Dr to get signed of work he also has mega pain in left ( I think ) testicle. He is going to Liverpool his home town and meting up with old friends I just pray that God goes before and clears the way.
I know that what Jesus did 2000+ years ago was NOT in vain
Thank you for all your prayers .
Peter, thank you for this devotional. to answer your first question; as we’ve (Jesus and I) only been introduced 2 years ago at the ripe tender age of 48 yrs., like any relationship, we are growing together. to answer your second question; the difference for me today is night as is to day.
Counseling Father, God of All Power, We stand with our friend, Tracy, before you, asking wisdom and grace from Your hand. Give Tracy, please, the ability to love Ian though she feels betrayed and wounded. Help her not act or speak rashly but listen to Your voice and obey Your direction. We smear Tracy and Ian with the blood of Christ, their marriage, their home, their family, their persons stating that the enemy of their souls cannot come past the blood barrier. Satan and demon powers I bind you now from Ian and Tracy in Jesus name. Come Holy Jesus and heal their brokenness and lift them to their feet again. Personally, maritally. Show them how to repair their marriage in Yourself. Give them hope and the desire to do that. Send someone with skin on to mentor them and guide them on this journey. Our desire, Lord, is for this marriage to be strengthened
and used for Your glory as a trophy of Your grace. Bless them both as they work through this situation. Thank You, Lord, amen. Keep on standing in Jesus, love, Petey
K & P thank you so much for thaose words, The last few weeks I have known there was something wrong I thought ( and maybe its true) that Ian was having an affair stil. I was plotting all sorts of ways to catch him out, but was stopped every time. I am angry about the affairs but so saddened that he has been suspended , it sounds from the minimum I know ( Ian was shocked tat I knew and did not say much ) That I do not have the full picture only God has that it also sounds that he is being used for a scapegoat. PLEASE PRAY THAT I SHOW UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. it is what I want to do but need strength to do so. I/ we are going to a passover meal at our church tomorrowevening (thur) and I really hope that God shows Ian how much he loves him. I know God is there I have been a nail biter ALL my life (46 years) and I gave this up for lent I have gone from gnarled nothing to amazing white tips I truly never thought this would happen so if God can be there in the minut things of life I know he can be there in the big things like my marriage Ians self worth and futre . Thanks for safe space to ramble.
Katelynn, what a good solid word. I agree with you. I stand with you in prayer for Tracy. How the enemy loves to wave defeat in our faces. But we know that Christ in us is greater than the enemy. That we may lose a battle but in Christ the ultimate victory is already won. Hang on Tracy, believe that God is for you and He will show you the way to respond and posture yourself every moment. Bill Hiebels says the ‘way up is down.’ O give us all grace Father for the days of our lives. Help Tracy keep on keepin on, without being a victim. Blessings to all this day. petey prater
Tracy, I believe that Jesus wants to stand your husband up on his feet, for His glory, through you!
First, Satan has been destroying relationships since the Garden of Eden, and this is his goal with every marriage! After Adam and Eve sinned they hid themselves from God, because of the guilt and shame of their sin. Their only remedy for the hurt and pain that they themselves caused was LOVE! The love that they so desperately needed was the unconditional love that the Son of God publically displayed upon the cross. This love enables all of us to return to the loving arms of our Father, who so wants us to do just that!
I think men especially, when they realize the pain that they have caused their wife/girlfriend, become very insecure, and just need the love that Jesus has shown to all of us.
No ulimatums, no condemnation, no anger (even though it is there!) no third degree… just love! Let him be the first to open up to you
Thank you
Father, would you come alongside Tracy and Ian and be their Lord and Savior. Be their counselor (Psalms 32:8-10) Guide them in their personal lives and in their marriage. Help them put You first, themselves second (for personal growths sake) and one another third, their kids fourth. Help them take personal responsibility for their own ‘stuff’. Then help them work thru their problems together with You at the head of the marriage. Teach and lead and guide them into wisdom and life in You. Give them the courage to continue to tackle their problems and find Biblical solutions together. Bless their marriage as Tracy lays it before You asking for Your help. Help her trust You for solutions, I pray. Bring Ian home to his family, meet their needs in Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
I would just add that Ian does know and certailnly used to love the Lord. Oh I am in Uk
ok here goes long time since I was here and boy has a lot happened. My husband and I have been drifting I have stayed on shore but he is way out to sea.
I found out today that for the past 2 weeks he has been suspended from his job. He has gone off to work (working away) as normal . I called his old mobile phone that he had “lost” by mistake to be greeted by he has been suspended. I immediatley text him and asked whats going on. Ian has had affairs on and off for ages and I guess God is putting him in a place where he HAS to rely on God. I dont know just know I have to rely on him. I do not want to let my kids 18- 24 know anything is wrong. It is so strange how God knows what we need before we do. I have not been reading devotional and infact bin before opening but I just went to trash can and found todays. He says he feels so embarrased, HELP I am scared he is going to do something stupid says he needs to have space to think. He says he will be home Thursday daytime. I am so scared
Petey I so appreciate the encouragment and prayer, I believe God is doing and is going to continue to do something! I believe and am encouraged. Thank you for letting God use you.
Dear Tricia, Hang on in prayer. Claim His promises for your marriage and yourself and stand on them. God is for you and does not want you to be a victim but a victor in this situation. God desires to change your husbands heart. Lord, give Tricia the courage to continue to dig deep with You. Give her your mind for her situation and help her walk out your will daily. I bind you, Satan and demon powers, take your hands off Tricia’s life and that of her husband. They belong to the Lord, in Jesus holy name, you shall not have your way with them. Father, get ahold of her husband wherever he is at this moment. Convict and convince him of sin and righteousness and judgment to come. John 1:8 Change his heart, give him courage to do Your will. Send mentors. Help him be honest re his need and his sin. Give him a new love for his wife and her for him. Help them change, forgive, and begin anew. We ask for a miracle, Father, for your glory and their joy. Bless Tricia today with grace to wait, believing, and/or answers. Show her the way. Teach her how to tough love. Thank you, Father. Amen. Blessings, Petey Prater
Thank you Linda, I was crying when I read your prayer! I am in total agreement with you. My husbands name is Daniel. I am so thankful to have support from sisters in the Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father I just bring Tricia before You today, Lord You see all the difficulties , sadness and heartache that is going on in that marriage and I just Pray that You and You alone would intervene in her husbands life as he is over in Iraq. Jesus please send Christians in his path to encourage him and help bring him back to his faith in You, lay such a heavy burden on his heart as to what he is doing is sin and cause him to see that and turn from it and repent, Surround him right now with Your Love and Presence and continually minister to his heart. Jesus please be with Tricia today, wrap Your Loving Arms ever so tightly around her, comfort her, encourage her and help her to feel your Presence with her and flowing through her right now I pray. Lord I pray for healing in this marriage and a just commit it to You, In Faith Believing I pray Amen & Amen!
Tricia I will write your name on my prayer list and continue to pray for you and your husband. Hugs Linda !!!
Thank you beth, very much.
Dear Tricia,
Praying for you and your husband!
Oh, and I need extra grace from God today… Today is our 3rd Anniversary.
Going through this battle with pornography and sin with my husband, while he is in Iraq sometimes really leaves me heavy-spirited and questioning if my heart will heal or if God will rescue me. The thing that really stuck out to me is that ‘Jesus promises to stand us on our feet again” It speaks that no matter what I’m going through now, I need to cling to him through my heartache and pain and know that He will stand me up on my feet again, even if during this time He has to carry me.