The Promise of Hope: “He Shall Live”

The great promise of the Resurrection is that in the exact moment we take our last breath on earth, we are in face-to-face communion with our Lord: To be away from the body [is to be] at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Salvation is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23). We find that gift in full when we pass from this life to the next. The words that came from the lips of Jesus Christ Himself ring true in our hearts: “The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (John 11:25).

How frequently do you consider spending eternity (on earth and in heaven) with Jesus? How might focusing on this thought impact how you view things in your life and shape how you live to glorify God?

Jesus set out to show His power over death, sin and Satan, whether through Resurrection or resuscitation, again and again. In the story we’ve been studying, Lazarus had been dead for four days (v. 43). Yet, when Jesus called His name, the man who had died came out of the grave (v. 44). In Jesus, the physically and spiritually dead will live again.

Reflecting on Jesus’ power over death, sin and Satan, consider areas in your life where you might feel spiritually dead or entangled by sin. How does the promise of new life in Jesus inspire you to seek His transformative power?

Jesus called Lazarus back to life after four days in the grave. Are there situations in your life that seem hopeless or beyond repair? How does the Resurrection power of Jesus encourage you to trust in His ability to bring life and renewal to challenging circumstances?

The Permanence of Hope: “Shall Never Die”

Beyond the miracle of Lazarus, Jesus’ promise that those who believe in Him will never die spiritually extends to us today. When we choose to place our trust in Jesus Christ, the eternal person of God comes to live inside our spirit, guaranteeing that we will live eternally with Him. When death comes to our door, it can take only the body, not the soul. And because Jesus Christ is the Resurrection, we have the guarantee that we will be resurrected with a new heavenly body someday – a body that will never grow tired, old, or see decay. We’re even promised no more tears (Revelation 21:4).

How do these promises to have a full life and never die work together?

Reflect on the assurance that, through faith in Jesus, God comes to dwell within you. How does this promise impact how you approach challenges and uncertainties today?

Once more, the critical question for today is this: Have you received Jesus Christ? You’re not a Christian because you go to church, or because you’re a good person, or because you’ve kept the Golden Rule. Being a Christian is all about being forgiven by the grace of God. In Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness for sin, peace with God, and eternal resurrection. Salvation is conditioned solely on faith in the New Testament. Works-based salvation is a grace-killer. The only thing you can bring to the Cross has already been brought there: your sins. Have you placed your trust in Jesus Christ for your forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Him? You can do that right now. Trust in Christ.

If you haven’t confessed faith in Jesus Christ, you can do so right now.

If you have placed your faith in Jesus, spend a few moments thanking God for all He has done for you.