“As The Father Has Sent Me…”John 20:19-22 / Mark 10:13-16

​The importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be overstated.  It is the only remedy for a lost soul and the only hope for Humanity.  As Believers should celebrate and we must freely proclaim this wonderful Good News: Jesus lived; He was crucified for our sins; He was buried in a known tomb; but, He is Risen!  He Lives!  Death could not keep Him. The Grave could not hold Him. Sin could not corrupt Him!  OUR REDEEMER LIVES TODAY! 

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central doctrine of our Faith.  It is the most important event in Human History, and frankly, and personally, it is far and away the most precious hope of my life.  Without the resurrection, Christianity is just another philosophy: noble, but powerless (1 Cor. 15:14).  However, the Resurrection of Christ is that singular moment in which the unmitigated evidence of the Divinity of Jesus becomes clear (Rom. 1:4).  It is the assurance that our sins are forgiven and eternal life is ours in Him (1 Cor. 15).

But the Resurrection is even more than an even.  Our Lord claimed that He is in and of Himself “LIFE,” and therefore, the “Resurrection.”  Christ did not claim to have resurrection and life, or to simply understand secrets about resurrection and life. Instead He said that He is the resurrection and the life. 

John 11:25 AMP - Jesus said… I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life…

The words “I am” are very significant.  They remind us of The LORD speaking to Moses and declaring His Name from the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:14).

Jesus is making a DIVINE CLAIM.  Most of us understand the resurrection as a doctrine, something believed about our future: an eschatological hope.  The Lord Jesus states it as a fact and identifies it with His own Person. He does not say, I raise the dead; I perform resurrections, He says, “I AM THE RESURRECTION.”

These are not the words of mere mortal, certainly not one who is sane.  No prophet, no priest, no King, no Teacher would dare make this statement and certainly not at the grave of a friend.  Humanity’s capacity is amazing, but it is not this. Man can study the bone, the organ, the cell, even the complexities of DNA…the building blocks of life.  But WE CANNOT CREATE IT, SUSTAIN IT, OR BRING IT FORTH ONCE IT IS TAKEN AWAY.  We are the Created, Jesus is speaking as the CREATOR!

THIS IS THE PINNACLE OF A DIVINE CLAIM.  Our Lord Jesus is claiming Divinity.  He is claiming to be God in The Flesh with ALL Authority over Life and Death, because He is Himself…LIFE.