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In the fourth book of the New Testament, John, chapter 11:1-27, we read that Jesus delays his return to Bethany, to heal his good friend, Lazarus, and apparently allows him to die on purpose. Meanwhile, Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha are trying to understand why Jesus didn’t come right away, and are grieving the death of their brother . Surely Jesus could have kept him from dying. When Jesus finally arrives, Lazarus has been in the grave for 4 days. To everyone’s surprise, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead! It is such a tender story of Jesus’ love for his friends, and yet his willingness to allow suffering to last longer in order to bring more glory to the Heavenly Father and to stretch their faith.

Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. And whoever lives by believing in me will never die…” Jesus accomplishes an outstanding miracle, validating His claim to be the Son of God.

The same promise of resurrection is true today for all who believe in the Savior. It’s not a promise that we will never die physically on earth. Rather, it’s a promise that even though we die on earth physically, all who have believed in Christ as the Son of God and their Savior will never die eternally. We will be raised to eternal life with Him. See John chapter 3, verse 16.