Living the Resurrected life

Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

John 11 tells the story of Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus. When Lazarus dies, his sisters, Martha and Mary, are overcome with grief. Yet, amidst their sorrow, Jesus reveals a profound truth: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."  This powerful statement goes beyond mere philosophical musings on the afterlife. It declares Jesus as the source of true life, not just in the hereafter, but in the present. He is the one who brings life where there was only death, and hope where there was only despair.

This week we beautifully unpacked the profound truth that true belief in Jesus Christ extends far beyond simply ticking the boxes of doctrinal agreement. It's not merely an intellectual assent, like a passenger on a train who knows the destination but remains passively seated. Rather, true belief is an active, dynamic engagement – a vibrant, living relationship that permeates every fiber of our being. It's a surrender of our will to His, a deep trust that anchors us even in the storms of life, and a commitment to live out His love in the world. (Living a resurrected life) As we contemplated Jesus' humanity and deity, witnessing His compassion and the awe-inspiring display of His power in raising Lazarus, we were challenged to live a life resurrected by His Spirit, a life overflowing with hope, purpose, and the joy of His abiding presence.

As exemplified in John 11, Mary, upon encountering Jesus, demonstrates a deeper level of faith. Though initially overcome with grief, she falls at His feet, acknowledging His authority and seeking His comfort. This act, echoing the father's plea in Mark 9:23-25, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24 NKJV), captures the essence of true faith. It recognizes the struggle between belief and doubt, acknowledging our limitations and humbly relying on God's grace.  

This belief, however, is not a passive acceptance. It demands action. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 instructs, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." This profound command emphasizes the active nature of true faith. It requires a wholehearted commitment, a surrender of our entire being to the Lordship of Christ.  

The very nature of true belief necessitates unwavering trust in God's promises. As Hebrews 11:1 states, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It is a confident expectation that God will fulfill His Word, even when circumstances seem bleak.  Its the call from the Garden of Eden to simply Trust and obey. To trust God at his word and not let his word be manipulated in our hearts and minds or twisted by the dark forces in this world. Then to obey his will for our lives. But we only have access to the knowledge of his will through the resurrecting power of Jesus, creating us new (Ephesians 2:10) and transforming our minds (Romans 12:2) True belief in Jesus Christ is a dynamic and transformative journey. It involves not only acknowledging His existence but also surrendering our will to His, trusting in His promises, and actively living out our faith in obedience to His commands. As we strive to deepen our relationship with Christ, let us remember the poignant example of Mary in John 11 and the father in Mark 9, and continually cry out to Him, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Through John 11 we catch a glimpse of the profound reality of Jesus Christ: He is both fully God and fully man.  We witness this duality in His response to the grief surrounding Lazarus' death. His tears of compassion, a display of genuine human emotion, reveal a depth of empathy that transcends mere observation. He weeps with them, sharing in their sorrow, demonstrating a humanity that resonates with our own deepest experiences of grief and loss. Yet, amidst this display of human vulnerability, we witness the undeniable power of the divine. With the simple command, "Lazarus, come forth!" (John 11:43 NKJV), He demonstrates an authority over death that only God Himself possesses. This breathtaking display of power underscores the profound mystery of the Incarnation – that the eternal God entered human history, experiencing the joys and sorrows of human existence while retaining His divine attributes. This truth, that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, offers profound comfort and hope.  It reminds us that we have a Savior who not only understands our deepest struggles but also possesses the power to overcome them, offering us the promise of eternal life and the hope of resurrection.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10


To live a resurrected life is not merely to await a future event but to experience its transformative power in the present. Just as Jesus, though fully God, experienced the limitations and joys of human existence, we, too, are called to live out the resurrected life here and now. It's about allowing the life of Christ to permeate every aspect of our being, to love as He loved, to serve as He served, and to extend grace and forgiveness as He did. Colossians 3:1-4 reminds us, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  This is the essence of resurrected living – a life lived in communion with Christ, empowered by His Spirit, and characterized by hope, joy, and a profound sense of purpose that transcends the limitations of this world.

This call to "seek the things that are above" invites us to live lives of radical generosity, to extend compassion to the marginalized, to cultivate inner peace amidst the chaos, and to radiate the love of Christ to all those we encounter. Let us embrace this call, allowing the resurrection power of Christ to transform us from within, enabling us to live as beacons of hope and agents of His love in the world.