April 3

John 11:1-27 

“I am the resurrection and the life.” ~ John 11:25 

What a weird thing for anyone to say. Jesus said it to Martha and then asked her if she believed it. Martha didn’t quite know what to make of it so she answered with what she did know, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27, NIV) 

What is this resurrection and life stuff? 

As a couple’s counselor, I have learned I need to give up the goal of having the couples who work with me stay together. Instead I work to help them experience and claim their needs for connection, recognition, and safety. Helping them share these needs and recognize the needs and desires of the other leads to healing and growth in the individuals and the relationship. The work is sometimes painful. The work doesn’t follow formulas or prescriptions. The healing and growth happen in surprising and exciting ways.  

I believe this growth and healing are small examples of living into life and resurrection.  

Jesus in this story is heading for some painful times. He isn’t following the formulas or prescriptions of the world. He is living into his work, and we know about the surprising and exciting resurrection that follows. 

Where is God calling you into resurrection and life today?