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SHARE LIGHT: Jesus Reveals Himself to Us  

Day Six

Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 37:11-14

Today’s Focus: John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die…”

One of the most fascinating passages in the Bible is found in Ezekiel 37. Countless sermons have been preached and even songs sung about the “old dry bones.” Just as in yesterday’s passage, this vision was given to Ezekiel during the time of Israel’s exile. The national and spiritual life of the people of Israel was like those old dry bones—hopeless!

In this valley of dry bones, the Lord engages the prophet Ezekiel in conversation and asks him if those bones could come back to life. The prophet correctly responds that only God knows. And then, like something out of a fantasy movie, the bones respond to God’s Word spoken through Ezekiel. The bones come together, sinew and muscles cover the bones, then skin, and finally the breath of life returns. And standing before Ezekiel is an army! And then God says to Ezekiel:

“Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future. So prophesy to my people Israel and tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am going to open their graves. I am going to take them out and bring them back to the land of Israel. When I open the graves where my people are buried and bring them out, they will know that I am the Lord. I will put my breath in them, bring them back to life, and let them live in their own land. Then they will know that I am the Lord. I have promised that I would do this—and I will. I, the Lord, have spoken” (Ezekiel 37:11-14 GNT). 

Centuries later Jesus stands outside of a tomb in the village of Bethany. One of his dearest friends, Lazarus, is inside the tomb—dead four days! The sisters of the dead man mourn the loss of their brother. 

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died! But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask him for.”

“Your brother will rise to life,” Jesus told her.

“I know,” she replied, “that he will rise to life on the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord!” she answered. “I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” (John 11:20-27 GNT)

The resurrection of Lazarus was a foretaste of what would be true of all those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus. Even though they die, they will live again, but not to die a second time (as Lazarus eventually did). They will have life that never ends. The bones in Ezekiel’s valley and the four-day dead Lazarus were raised to life by the power of God. And Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, died and rose again, conquering death forever, promising eternal life to all who would put their trust in him.

Reflection

Which is harder to imagine: a valley of dry bones coming to life, or a man who has been dead four days walking out of his tomb? Frankly, both are pretty much out of the realm of our imagination. Yet, God performed both miracles! He restored the life of Israel and brought Lazarus back to life. And God still works wonders today. In what ways have you experienced God’s life-giving power? Pray for those on the list you made yesterday, that they would be revived spiritually just like dry bones coming to life.