Dominion Over Death: God the Son Promises

John 11:18-27 (NKJV)
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

---

In John 11, we witness one of the most powerful moments in Jesus’ earthly ministry—His dominion over death as He raises Lazarus from the grave. This chapter reveals the depth of Christ’s love, His divine power, and His promise of eternal life. Today, we focus on John 11:18-27, where Jesus assures Martha that He is “the resurrection and the life.”

The Painful Reality of Death

Death is an inescapable reality. We all experience the sting of loss, just as Martha and Mary did when their brother Lazarus died. They had prayed, they had hoped, and yet their brother succumbed to illness. Their grief is evident when both sisters tell Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, 32).

Like them, we sometimes struggle to understand God’s timing. But Jesus had a greater plan—one that would reveal His power in a way they had never imagined.

The Promise of Hope

Even in her grief, Martha demonstrates remarkable faith. She declares, “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You” (John 11:22). She believes in Jesus’ ability to intercede but does not yet grasp the fullness of His power.

Jesus responds with a life-changing promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). This is the heart of the gospel. Eternal life is not just a future hope—it is a present reality for those who believe in Christ.

A Present Reminder

Martha believed in a future resurrection, but Jesus was calling her to trust in Him now. He was not just a teacher of life—He is life itself.

This truth remains for us today. Jesus’ resurrection power is not limited to a distant event. It is active in our lives, transforming our hearts and assuring us of our eternal hope. When we place our faith in Him, death is no longer the end but a passage into everlasting life.

Do You Believe This?

Jesus’ question to Martha is the same one He asks each of us: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The promise of resurrection is not just a theological concept—it is a personal invitation to trust in Christ completely.

As we reflect on this passage, let us anchor our faith in Jesus, the One who has dominion over death. In Him, we find not only hope for the future but life abundantly in the present.