Do You Believe This?

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

Do you believe this?

We’ve all been saying that a lot these days. We are living in unprecedented times.

The context for when Jesus asked this question is different than our times. Jesus was told that his friend Lazarus was dying. Jesus was less than two miles away from Bethany where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. Two miles! That’s a leisurely hour walk. Yet, we are told that Jesus remained where he was for two more days!!!

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus had come to Bethany, she runs out to meet him and tells him that her brother would not have died had Jesus come when he was summoned for. That’s when Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Soon after this conversation with Martha, Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb and Lazarus comes walking out.

Do you believe this?

The reason why Jesus remained behind even after he was told of the impending death of Lazarus, Jesus tells his disciples, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).

The Lazarus event was to show the world that Jesus is the Son of God and that his death and resurrection ushers in eternal life for all who believe in him.

Do you believe this?

Jesus offers eternal life for all who believe in him. Death loses its sting because of the Lord of the resurrection!

Do you believe this?

God loves you. God could not imagine an eternity that didn’t include you in it. So God made a way through his Son Jesus Christ for us to be forgiven of our sins and live forever in God’s presence.

And the most important question facing us today in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic is, “Do you believe this?”

This is the only question that matters.

Put your trust and life in Jesus and never fear death again.

Do you believe this?