Pastor’s Corner – August 10, 2023
The I am Statements of Jesus V: The Resurrection and the Life
The Gospel of John explores the identity of Jesus in a series of seven I am statements. In Hebrew the words for I am are related to the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 God introduces the Divine name to Moses. The faithful, in respect and awe, do not even speak the name of God, so no one knows for sure how it is pronounced. Nor does anyone know exactly what it means, maybe it means: I am who I am or I will be who I will be or just I am or something else.
Through the revelation of Jesus, we can learn more about the Divine identity. The fifth I am statement is found in John 11:25-26, in the conversation Jesus has with his friend Martha, whose brother has died. Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. As the story plays out Jesus reveals his own despair at the loss caused by death and calls forth Lazarus from the tomb.
The sadness Jesus feels is surely connected to his own impending death and his deeper sorrow for human mortality. The raising of Lazarus is a sign of trust in a promise—the Divine power of grace and life is greater than death. This promise was rooted in Jesus’ tradition and is fulfilled in Jesus’ words and actions. Just before his arrest and crucifixion, in a prayer of assurance for his fearful followers, Jesus says: And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:3).
When we come to know Jesus, we come to know the One who sent him. In that relationship of grace we discover that our lives are caught up in the life of God—a life of meaning, purpose, and joy that is everlasting in scope.
Jesus asks Martha, do you believe this? How do you answer?
Yours in Christ,
Marc
