LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 91

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2. Memorial Service
Christ, The “I AM” of Resurrection and Life
Text: John 11:25–26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He
who believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and whoever
lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

I. What Is the Background and Occasion of This Theme?
During His earthly ministry, Christ referred to Himself at
times as “I am.” Some familiar references are herewith given:
“Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). “I am the bread of
life…I am the living bread that comes down from heaven”
(John 6:35, 41). “I am the Good Shepherd that lays down His
life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Once again in this special
memorial service, we hear Jesus Christ saying, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, and a beloved
friend of Jesus, is dead. When Jesus arrives in Bethany,
Lazarus was buried four days earlier. Martha met Jesus near
the burial place, saying, “If you had been here, my brother
would not have died” (John 11:21). Jesus responded, “Your
brother will rise again” (John 11:23). Martha answered, “I
know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day”
(John 11:24). Jesus replied empathetically, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even
though he dies.”
This scripture is timely and appropriate for this memorial
service. As we recall our loved ones’ heavenly home-going, it is
indeed comforting to hear and know that our divine and gracious Savior, the Great “I am” is still in charge. Even though
our loved ones sleep in graves, the “I am” in charge neither
slumbers nor sleeps, but speaks to us triumphantly, “I am the
resurrection and the life.”

then thou shall not be false to any man.” We do not have to be
ashamed to disagree with the postmodernists that truth is
what brings us satisfaction, or whatever we want it to be—
no, we are not existentialistic! To be on the safe side: we are to
hold on to Jesus, who declares: “I am the way, the truth and
the life.” (John 14:6) “Continue in my word…the truth…”
(John 8:31–32).
III. How Is the Response of Faith to Be Absolute?

II. How Is This Scripture Realized as Truth?

Jesus says, “Whoever lives and believes in Me will never
die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). A firm response is
called for, and that is the kind of response Martha gave.
Martha’s response was not a twiddling of the fingers, no stuttering, no asking for time to think. Martha responded in faith
unhesitatingly and forthrightly: “Yes, Lord…I believe that
you are the Christ, The Son of God” (John 11:27).
We learn from Martha as our mentor. Our faith in the life
connected with the resurrection is to be beyond question or
doubt. Our faith in the resurrection and the life is to be firm,
resolute, and absolute. We are to heed the words of St. Paul in
1 Thess. 4:13–14: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of
men who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose
again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those
who have fallen asleep in Him.” May we realize in the triumphant words of St. Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54-57).
Jesus is the “I am” of the resurrection and life. This has
a solid scriptural foundation. This is proved to be an absolute truth. This calls for faith in Jesus Christ for eternal
life. Amen.
Robert H. King
Fourth Vice-President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Jesus spoke these paramount words to Martha: “He who
believes in Me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).
Showing His concern, care, and compassion, Jesus wept,
cried, had weeping eyes. When He had come to the tomb, He
prayed to His heavenly Father. Afterwards, Jesus called out
with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus came
forth, alive!
Dealing with the resurrection of the dead was nothing new
to Jesus. Jesus told the two disciples of John the Baptist, “Go
and tell John what you see and hear, the blind receive sight,
the lame walk…, the dead are raised” (Matt. 11:4–11) Moreover, Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter and the youth at Nain
from the dead.
We as people die because of sin with which we are born and
experience in life, and thus we suffer death. God’s Word says,
“The wages of sin is death.” But then we hear, “The gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
Jesus suffered and died for our sins, but He rose on the
third day. Now He says to His followers in Rev. 1:17–19, “Do
not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living
One. I was dead, and I am alive forever and ever.”
This is the ultimate truth. We do not have to be like Pilate
and ask, “What is truth?” We do not have to be like ancient
philosophers that say, “Search for truth.” We do not have to
bask in the Shakespearian words “to thine own self be true,
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2007 Convention Proceedings