Resurrection and Life
John 11:25 'Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'
This is one of the great promises of the Bible. It is a verse which is often used in funeral services to give hope and assurance to mourners. Jesus was speaking to Martha about the death of her brother Lazarus, attempting to convey to her the fact of His resurrection power; that is, His power to give life even to the dead. Through His resurrection from the dead, Jesus had demonstrated that death had no power over Him. Before His crucifixion, Jesus had assured His disciples that 'because He lived they also would live.' And although they did not fully understand the meaning of those words, it was assurance that those who believed in Him would live with Him forever.
This verse contains a dual hope for all mankind. First, it promises that all who believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour, will no longer be 'dead in their trespasses and sins', but will receive new life in Christ. Secondly, although this life does not exempt the recipient from physical death, it promises a resurrection to new life in the kingdom of God. While excitement often accompanies a sinner receiving new life in Christ, it will not be comparable to the rapture experienced when Jesus returns for His saints and receives them into Glory. As we are told in 1 John 3:2, when He returns, not only will we be with Christ but we will be like him, now living in a glorified body and having perfect knowledge and understanding. What a day that will be! It befits us to be ready.