Knowing Him: The Resurrection and the Life

There is nothing greater than knowing Christ. Seven times in the book of John, Jesus offers us profound insight into His nature and character. In this series, we seek to guide the reader into a deeper understanding of these “I Am” statements, and the rich hope and comfort that can be found in Christ in the midst of grief.

“Jesus said to [Martha], ‘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. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’”
–John 11:25-27 (NKJV emphasis added)

My grief came on with no warning. One day I was researching registry lists and buying a stroller, and the next it was rendered a useless guest room ornament. If I knew that my daughter’s death would be the outcome of my pregnancy, I definitely wouldn’t have prepared by buying baby items that sit as reminders of what is gone, especially since my searches on the internet resulted in a year of formula coupons coming in the mail. Instead, I think I would have gathered a registry of truth to prepare my heart for the anger, fear, anxiety, envy, and sorrow that followed. I think I would have searched the Scriptures to learn how to not be fiercely angry to the point of breaking things, or how to not fear dying myself. If only I knew what this pregnancy would bring, I could have prepared.

The reality is, while we didn’t know ahead of time that our baby would die, God did, and He allowed this tragedy at this specific time. I didn’t know how to apply His Word to my ugly sentiments of grief (yet), but He prepared the way by simply teaching me who He was. He had made a profound mark in my mind of His trustworthiness and inability to lie or break promises. I knew He would be faithful no matter what happened (Psalm 23), even if I wasn’t faithful in return (2 Timothy 2:13). Without knowing the truth of His Word first, all of His promises would have fallen short to sooth me when life became difficult. He is who He says He is, and that didn’t change when my baby died.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is the story of Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus. This is where we learn that Jesus, in His humanity, wept over the death of a friend. Then, in His deity, He raised Lazarus to life despite knowing it would lead to His own death (John 11:53). He did this all for the glory of God (11:4) and to gather new believers along the way (11:27, 42, 45). But what stands out the most to me about this story is how He declared, “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” and explained His offer of eternal life. These statements provide a solid foundation upon which we can build a scriptural understanding of who He really is. If Jesus was never alive, killed, and then resurrected from death, all else He said was false, but because He did overcome the grave and promise eternal life to those who believe in Him, we can also trust His offer of peace, hope, provision, and guidance in our daily lives. 

My first Easter after losing Anna, I imagined Jesus walking out of the grave and thought of the power it took to ignite His life again after three days. It was overwhelming—as if it was new information—because I hadn’t yet personally experienced the pain of death. I realized in that moment that my hope of her being with Him was rooted in the fact that He had defeated death entirely. This I AM statement—Christ’s declaration that He is the Resurrection and the Life—wasn’t simply a description of character attributes, but rather, the proclamation of who He is. Jesus was physically alive, yet overcame death with resurrection, therefore, I can have hope that although Anna died, she is alive with Him.

Knowing who He is at the core was what got me through those really difficult days early in loss, and now as I endure waiting on another child. Because I trusted Him with my eternity, I could now trust Him with death, grief, and waiting. The Lord knew exactly what kind of “registry” I would need for this child’s life, and He prepared the way better than I ever could.

I know that everyone’s story isn’t the same, and the death of your beloved baby was possibly the start of your questioning about God after years of faithful believing. If that is you, I am praying now that these truths would start to overshadow the lies that surround your own loss—that you would cling to who God is instead in the midst of your grief.

Or—maybe you are a new believer who experienced loss before you could fully understand who God is, I pray you keep seeking Him despite the confusion, keeping your foundation on who He says He is.

And—it is possible you have never been convinced this is all true, and your baby dying was the straw breaking the argument that God is good even when bad things happen. I want you specifically to know that His offer of eternal life is for you too if you will choose to place your trust fully in Him. This is something you can be sure of, as sure as Martha was the day Jesus declared it to her Himself. And out of that assurance comes peace on earth knowing that in Christ, we can endure in the midst of the sorrow and have hope that our babies are alive with Him. Just as Jesus asked Martha, I ask you the same—“Do you believe this?”

If you are looking to read the Bible and start to learn more about who God says He is, I encourage you to start with the book of John because he (John) wrote it so that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).

I am married to Justin and Hope Mommy to Anna Joy. We live in sunny south Florida where I love reading, writing, teaching, and just being with family & friends! I work in the hospital as a RN, and humbly serve as volunteer Nurse Manager at our local pregnancy resource center, Care Net. My personal ministry passions include leading women to deeper understanding of Jesus’ truth through their marriage struggles, sexuality, and miscarriage.

We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.