In their grief over Lazarus' death, Martha and Mary both chided Jesus for not appearing sooner to heal their brother. Jesus however comforted them with these words:

"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?" 

John 11:25-26 (NKJV)

While the two sisters believed in Jesus' word, they understood the resurrection as a future event, failing to recognise that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life Himself. Placing this episode within the context of the greater gospel story, this exclusive claim of Jesus would have been preposterous if it is not for His empty tomb. Jesus has not only defeated and conquered death, but He also shared His resurrection with us (Colossians 3:1-4). This means that as believers we have no fear of death because we confidently know Jesus will resurrect us from the dead to be with him forever.

Even if we are physically ageing and getting closer to death, we have the power of risen Christ's resurrection life in us. Resurrection is both now and not yet for you and me. Christ's resurrection life empowers us to live well and not be terrified of death. Because He overcame death through the resurrection, Jesus characterised death as a "sleep," and those who died in Him will be awakened again to new life and new bodies in the coming age (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

We have all experienced and will experience losing loved ones and friends at various points in life. As we lay them to rest in the confidence of Christ's resurrection promise, we can grieve with hope and anticipation because we know the beautiful future of reuniting with them. With this assurance of salvation and the certain hope of Jesus coming, we should learn how to live right and well.

You have the power of resurrection life in you.

It is living life as a new creation in Christ and bearing fruit through the power of God's Spirit operating in and through us. Learn to continually live by faith daily by abiding in God’s Word and renewing your mind with the truth of the gospel.