(a) Summarize Jesus' teaching about himself as the Resurrection and the Life. [11 marks] (b) Give two assurances Christians have in Christ as the Resurrecti...

Answer Details

(a) Jesus' teaching about Himself as the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:1-44)

Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, fell sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." Yet Jesus stayed two days longer where He was, saying the illness was not unto death but for the glory of God. By the time He came, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

Martha met Jesus and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Then Jesus made His great declaration:

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Martha answered, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

Jesus taught that:

• He Himself is the source of both resurrection and eternal life, not merely a future event.
• Whoever believes in Him, even though he dies physically, will live.
• Whoever lives and believes in Him will never truly die (spiritually).

To confirm His words, Jesus went to the tomb, and after prayer cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The dead man came out, bound with grave clothes, and Jesus said, "Unbind him, and let him go," proving His power over death.

(b) Two assurances Christians have in Christ as the Resurrection and the Life

1. The assurance of eternal life: Those who believe in Christ have everlasting life and will never suffer spiritual death, even though they die physically.
2. The assurance of resurrection from the dead: Believers are confident that, because Christ conquered death, they too will be raised to life to be with Him for ever, so death is not the end.