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I. THE CHARACTER. "I am the Resurrection," etc. Christ is this.

1. As it is by Him that the doctrines of the resurrection and eternal life are revealed. None had a knowledge of the Resurrection, and there were only confused notions of immortality before Christ came. He taught these truths with the greatest clearness, and illustrated and proved them by raising others, and mostly by His own resurrection. This act of His was to extend His influence over the world and to the end of time.

2. As He has the power by which they are bestowed. Martha admitted the general fact; but Christ goes on to affirm that by His own power He could raise her dead brother when and how He pleased, when Martha came to the conclusion that He was the Messiah. In this assertion we see the supreme dignity of Christ. "As the Father raiseth up," etc. The miracles at Nain of Jarius' daughter, and here at the last day, prove Christ to be the Master of Eternity, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

II. THE PROMISE.

1. The characters to whom it is comprehensively directed. "He that believeth," etc.

(1) The necessity of faith. It is the turning point in your immortality. Those who do not believe have no title to this and the other promises which make eternal life to depend upon faith.

(2) What have we to believe? Christ, in all the essential points of His character — Divinity, atonement, etc.

2. The particular application of the promise to the circumstances of those to whom it is addressed.

(1) "Though he were dead." He who has believed, but is now in the grave, shall be restored to life. "I, who am the Resurrection," etc., will not allow him to remain in that narrow house forever. Death itself shall die. We mourn not as those who are without hope.

(2) "Whosoever liveth." He first goes and gives hope to the dead, and then He says of the living believer, "he shall never die." What is death? The consequence of sin? The sins of the believer are pardoned. The effect of a curse? The curse from the believer is removed. The stroke is not in vengeance, but in love.

III. THE APPEAL. "Believest thou this?" Christ is desirous of bringing the whole to bear on personal experience. What is your answer? If we do believe this —

1. We shall not mourn improperly for those who have gone, but have comfort concerning our departed friends.

2. It will be our principal security in the event of our own departure.

3. It will give the hope of a happy reunion on the day of final restoration.

4. The rejection of this testimony will be a cause of condemnation and eternal despair.

(J. Parsons.)

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KJV: Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

WEB: So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.