Day 31

The resurrection life of Jesus in you makes you whole.

‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. 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)

There was only one thing wrong with Lazarus – he was dead! He may have been good looking, rich, well educated, popular and gifted – but it all counted for nothing; he was dead. Death cancels out everything else that may be good about us. There are lots of people around who the Bible tells us have only one thing wrong with them – they are dead. Not physically, but spiritually. And whatever else may be true or good about them, death cancels it out.

There was only one solution for Lazarus’ condition. It wasn’t food or education or more possessions - it was life. There is only one solution for our spiritual deadness – life. It is this life that Jesus came to give. Nicodemus, an educated Pharisee and leader among the Jews, had scratched his head as to why Jesus was able to do the things He did unless God was with him. When he came to Jesus to enquire, Jesus said in effect, ‘You are exactly right Nicodemus. The only explanation for my life is that God is with me, and this must become the only explanation for your life too.’ He then said, ‘You must be born again’ (John 3:7). You need to become the recipient of the divine life which alone equips human beings to what God intended them to be. It is the invitation to receive and share His resurrection life that is the invitation of the Gospel. ‘I am the resurrection and the life’ (John 11:25).

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your life by which I become truly alive.