I am the resurrection

Salvation Pictures in John

Chapters 11 & 12

I’m going through the Gospel According to John, seeing how Jesus spoke to people, and seeking to answer the question, How did he describe his offer of and our need for salvation? You can read the introduction here.

The pictures we have seen so far: new birth, serpent in the wilderness, living water, bread from heaven, rivers of living water, light, slavery, freedom, of God, of the devil, I am, the light of the world, the door of the sheepfold, the good shepherd. Today I am looking at chapters 11 and 12. This will be the final post because this is the end of the public ministry of Jesus - in 13-17 he is with the disciples and in 18-21 he is crucified and resurrected.

Chapter 11
The entire chapter is devoted to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Utterly amazing!
When Jesus came to Bethany, he was met by grieving Mary and Martha. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

What an amazing declaration! Martha declared her orthodox faith, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus replied, "I am the resurrection.” This is astounding! And rich! He is not spiritualizing the resurrection, denying that there will be a literal resurrection of the dead at the last day; he is saying he is it. It happens because of him: he says when; he is the force behind it. He is life itself: everything lives because of him. He gives life to whom he will; resuscitating, reviving, resurrecting. There is coming a resurrection at the last day, but only because Jesus will be there, in fact it happens when he returns in power and glory. But life from the dead, both spiritual and physical, can happen where ever he is because he is the resurrection, he is the life! I’m trying to express this, but I confess, this is truly mind-boggling!

Chapter 12
1-11 Mary anoints Jesus
12-19 Triumphal entry
20-26 Some Greeks seek to see Jesus, Philip and Andrew tell Jesus. He says to them:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honour.

He uses the picture of a seed to explain being his disciple: You must die to yourself if you want eternal life. He doesn’t use the word believe, but this is what it means to believe on him: hate your life in this world; follow him; serve him.

Wow! This is certainly nothing like we hear today! What does he mean by hate your life? Saying no to your will in order to say yes to his will; remembering his will is life everlasting. He says this again in a different way: serve him by following him. The disciples literally, physically followed him; we follow him by conforming our lives to his teachings. This is all captured by the picture of a seed dying in the ground to its former manner of life so that it can sprout to a new and fruitful life.

27-50 a conversation with the Jews follows
35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

The picture Jesus used most often was light. He is the light and when we believe on him we are delivered from the darkness (of sin, ignorance of God, and death) and become children of light. This is not only beautiful, it is powerful.

Oh the images Jesus used in these two chapters: the resurrection, the life, a seed planted in the ground, light! And we can add these to the other visuals he used: new birth, serpent in the wilderness, living water, bread from heaven, rivers of living water, light, slavery, freedom, of God, of the devil, I am, the light of the world, the door of the sheepfold, the good shepherd.

Yes, Jesus spoke plainly at times, but he also told stories and often spoke visually. I am persuaded that if I have the opportunity to teach/preach in the future I need to be sure to use stories and visuals; especially the ones he used.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, 

yet they believed not on him 

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him;

but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, 

lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

If you know it, sing and rejoice with me!