“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’”
— John 11:25 (NIV)
I. Introduction: Hope in the Face of Death
Death is the one reality no human escapes. It interrupts dreams, ends relationships, and reminds us that we are fragile. But into that dark, hopeless void, Jesus speaks one of the most radical declarations ever made:
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
He says this not in a theological lecture, but in the middle of heartbreak, standing near a tomb, surrounded by mourning. This isn’t distant doctrine—it’s deeply personal truth. And it changes everything.
When Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He is offering hope not just for the end of our lives, but for right now. This is not just about eternal life after death, but about abundant life through Him today.
II. The Setting: Lazarus’s Death and a Grieving Family
A. The Background
In John 11, Jesus receives word that His dear friend Lazarus is sick. Rather than rushing to heal him, Jesus delays. Days later, Lazarus dies. His sisters, Mary and Martha, are heartbroken.
When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead four days. The air is thick with grief and disappointment.
B. Martha’s Grief and Faith
Martha meets Jesus and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). It’s a mixture of sorrow and belief.
Jesus tells her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha, echoing Jewish eschatology, replies: “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
And then Jesus responds with His stunning words:
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
III. Unpacking the Statement: “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”
A. “I Am” – A Divine Identity
This is the fifth of the seven “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John. Each echoes Exodus 3:14, where God says, “I AM WHO I AM.” Jesus is not just a man with power—He is God in the flesh, claiming authority over life and death.
B. “The Resurrection”
To resurrect means to bring back to life. Jesus is not saying He can perform resurrection—He is saying He IS the resurrection. Life flows from Him. Where He is, death has no final word.
He has authority not just to raise the dead—but to reverse the curse of sin that brought death in the first place.
C. “And the Life”
Jesus is not only the one who conquers death; He is the source of true, eternal, and abundant life. His life isn’t merely about biological existence—it’s about restored relationship with God, full joy, and spiritual wholeness.
IV. Faith and Resurrection Power
Jesus continues:
“The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25–26
A. Life Beyond Physical Death
Jesus affirms that death is not the end. The body may die, but the soul—anchored in Him—lives eternally.
B. Life Before Physical Death
But this is more than future hope. Jesus speaks of a current reality:
“Whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
This life begins the moment we believe. We receive spiritual resurrection—a new heart, new purpose, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
V. Jesus Demonstrates His Power
To validate His words, Jesus goes to the tomb of Lazarus. He commands: “Lazarus, come out!”
And the dead man walks.
This wasn’t just a miracle—it was a preview. Soon, Jesus Himself would walk out of His own grave. The resurrection of Lazarus was the sign, but Jesus’s own resurrection is the source.
VI. Resurrection Power in the Present
The resurrection is not just about life after death; it’s about resurrected living right now.
A. Power to Overcome Sin
Romans 6:4 tells us that, “just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.” When we trust Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin. His resurrection power breaks old habits, chains, and lies.
B. Power to Hope in Suffering
Even in grief, loss, or illness, we don’t grieve like those without hope. Why? Because He is the resurrection and the life. Death doesn’t win. Our tears matter, but they are not the final word.
C. Power to Live with Purpose
The resurrection gives meaning to everything we do. We are not aimlessly drifting toward the grave. We are living on mission—empowered by the One who conquered the grave.
VII. Personal Application: Do You Believe This?
Jesus ends His declaration with a personal question to Martha:
“Do you believe this?”
This is not just Martha’s question. It’s ours. Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
A. For the Unbeliever
If you’ve never trusted Christ, this verse is an invitation. Death is real, but so is eternal life—and it’s available to all who believe in Jesus.
B. For the Believer
If you are already a follower of Christ, this is a call to live fully. Too often, Christians live like they are still bound by fear, sin, and despair. But Jesus says:
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
VIII. Because He Lives…
Because He lives:
We have hope in death.
We have strength for today.
We have purpose for tomorrow.
This is not just theological truth—it’s a living reality. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11).
IX. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life. In a world that fears death and runs from it, You have faced it, defeated it, and offer us eternal life. Help us to trust You—not just for the future, but for today. Raise us to new life in You. Amen.
X. Final Thought
Jesus didn’t say, “I will be” or “I bring” the resurrection. He said,
“I AM the resurrection and the life.”
In Him, death is defeated. In Him, life is eternal.
Believe. Live. Rise.
To explore how Jesus’ message applies to people from all walks of life, visit our Jesus for Everyone section, where you’ll find devotionals, articles, and Bible insights that reveal Christ’s love as inclusive and powerful. For a broader theological study on Jesus’ universal invitation, you may also want to read this resource on Bible.org, which provides rich biblical context for understanding Jesus’ words and works. If you’re sharing Christian content online, consider linking back to welovegoddaily.com/jesus-for-everyone to help others discover that Jesus truly is for everyone—without exception.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life – The Power of Christ Over Death
When Jesus proclaimed, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life,” He wasn’t merely offering comfort; He was declaring His ultimate authority over death and life itself. Found in John 11:25, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” is one of the boldest, most hope-filled statements in all of Scripture. Jesus said this just before raising Lazarus from the dead, affirming that the power of eternal life was not just a future promise but a present reality found only in Him.
The declaration “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” reveals Jesus’s divine nature and His unique role in human salvation. He doesn’t just promise life after death; He is that life. His resurrection wasn’t just a historical event—it was proof that “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” is more than words. It’s a living, breathing truth.
When we hear “I Am the Resurrection and the Life,” we are invited to a new perspective. Death, which once held humanity in fear, no longer has the final say. Because Jesus is the resurrection, we have assurance that our souls will live eternally. Because He is the life, we are offered abundant, purposeful living here and now.
The power of “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” lies in its present and future impact. For those grieving, it brings peace. For those afraid, it brings courage. For those spiritually dead, it brings revival. Every time we declare “I Am the Resurrection and the Life,” we affirm Christ’s power to renew, restore, and resurrect what seems lost.
To fully grasp the depth of “I Am the Resurrection and the Life,” we must remember who He said it to. Martha was in deep sorrow, grieving her brother Lazarus. Yet Jesus met her with this powerful truth. When we are broken by life’s tragedies, Jesus meets us, not with shallow words, but with “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” It’s personal. It’s transformative.
Believing that “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” means more than intellectual agreement. It means placing our entire trust in Jesus—not just for our afterlife, but for our present life. It means walking in freedom from fear and embracing hope, because our Savior has overcome death.
In a culture that denies death or fears it deeply, the message “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” offers unmatched hope. Jesus is not one of many paths—He is the only source of life eternal. And His resurrection ensures that all who believe in Him will never die spiritually.
Let “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” echo in your heart today. Believe it. Live it. Share it. Because in Christ, the grave is not the end—life is.