Lives and deaths

With Lazarus in the grave, Martha came to Jesus with a confidence that was general and distant. Christ spoke to make it specific and immediate.

He made clear his glorious identity: "I am the resurrection and the life."

He issued a great declaration in the light of his identity: "He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."

Finally, he asked a gripping question, which we as much as Martha need to answer: "Do you believe this?"

Eternal life hangs upon the outcome. We must believe this as Christians, and we must believe this to be Christians.