Jesus is the resurrection and the life

Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)

He did not say, "I am the death, the resurrection and the life."

He is not death. He is the resurrection. He is the life.

Death is merely the means, the gateway to resurrection and life, but it isn't the goal nor the destination.

Lazarus had to die in order for him to be resurrected - and he became the only man we know about in the Gospels who was resurrected.

If he had merely been sick, Jesus would have healed him - making him just one of many others who were healed. 

Jesus went to him only after he was dead. It was an intentional delay that caused Mary and Martha great pain. But that anguish was a necessary part of the process of resurrection life becoming a flesh and blood reality in their brother's life.

The death of personal dreams brings intense pain. We try very hard to avoid that pain and we refuse to die. But in so doing we actually push away the hope of resurrection and life. 

Tonight I think that some personal dreams that refuse to die degenerate into fantasies. But dreams that embrace death become the reality of resurrection life in His time.