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: 25-16

Jesus was speaking to Martha when he made this extravagant declaration, "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."  He assures Martha that Lazarus, her brother, will be raised to life.  He promises that those who die will be raised to life again in him, and then he adds, that whoever, lives by believing in him will never die.   This is a radical and extravagant promise, one that might be hard for many to believe, but it’s true.

Here’s the promise of Easter, Christ is the resurrection and the life.  He has done it all.  Believers are made righteous in him and through him.  It is a gift freely given.  There is nothing you can do to earn it and there is nothing you can do to lose it.  The cross has changed everything!

As Cody Carnes puts it in his song, “The Cross Has the Final Word”

The cross has the final word

Evil may put up its strongest fight

But the cross has the final word.

Rejoice and be glad this Easter that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.  He who was without sin, became sin for us, becoming obedient even unto death on the cross.  God, sparing nothing, gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin and we are now made righteous in and through him.

As you celebrate the resurrection, take time to meditate on him, and on his love.  Love that held fast through the agony of betrayal; through the loneliness of the garden of Gethsamane;  through the torture and humiliation of the long climb to Golgotha; and  through the excruciating agony of the crucifixion even unto death. 

But even death could not keep him down.  On the third day, he burst forth from the grave, conquering sin and death with one final blow.  Now he lives and he promises that those who live believing in him will never die—Hallelujah!

 Do you believe this?  The promise is for you too, no matter what others might say and no matter what the enemy might whisper, this promise is for all who live by believing in Him.  Take time to celebrate this rare extravagant gift that he has given you.

Almighty God, there is none like you.  Thank you for paying the ultimate price for my freedom.  Help me, by the power of your spirit, to live a life that honors and celebrates this gift of love.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.