“Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” —John 11:26.
These were Jesus’ words to Martha when her brother had died. She still hoped Jesus would intervene and do something about her brother’s death. What Jesus says here fits well with something we emphasized several days ago. Christians who die physically are never really separated from their relationship with God’s loving presence in Jesus (Romans 8:32-39). Their life is joined with Jesus, and that relationship is not severed by death (Philippians 1:18-23). In today’s passage, Jesus challenges us to believe a similar truth: “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Do you believe the genuine living part of you made by God in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16) will never die? Even though your physical body dies, do you believe you are still alive in Jesus? I hope so because this is an incredible thought! We are eternal, immortal, and joined with Jesus. His future is joined with us because of him (Colossians 3:1-4)! So, will we live believing this powerful truth?