Death Is Not the End – Greg Laurie Devotion – April 9, 2026

Biblical Context

The book of John is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament, penned by John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which are called the Synoptic Gospels, John writes with a different aim. He’s not just telling a story; he’s showing us who Jesus really is – God in the flesh. John wanted everyone who reads it to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, we’d have life in His name. This particular part of John’s Gospel, chapter 11, is incredibly important because it builds up to one of Jesus’ most striking miracles: raising Lazarus from the dead. It’s a powerful demonstration of Jesus’ authority over life and death itself, setting the stage for His own resurrection.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word resurrection from our main verse. In the original Greek, it’s anastasis (ἀνάστασις). It means ‘a standing up again’ or ‘a rising.’ When Jesus says, ‘I am the resurrection,’ He’s not just saying He can bring people back to life. He’s saying He literally embodies the power to overcome death. He isn’t just a guy who performs resurrections; He is the source, the very essence, of life coming back from death. It’s not just a future event; it’s a present reality found in Him.

Jesus Is the Source of Eternal Life

Because Jesus lives, everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. This isn’t just a nice thought; it’s a core truth that changes everything. Jesus didn’t just talk about having power over death; He showed it. He demonstrated His power over death when He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. This was a direct, undeniable proof of what He declared. You see, Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (John 11:25–26 nlt). He wasn’t just offering comfort; He was making a bold statement about who He is and what He can do.

Jesus’ Delay and Martha’s Grief

The whole story around Lazarus’ death gives us a real look into Jesus’ character and His plan. Before Lazarus died, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, letting Him know that Lazarus was gravely ill. What Mary and Martha likely hoped for was that Jesus would come right away and heal Lazarus. But that’s not what happened. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited until Lazarus died. You can imagine the heartbreak and confusion the sisters felt. When he finally came, “Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:21 nlt). She was hurting, and she was honest about it. Her words weren’t accusatory so much as they were raw with pain and a simple belief in Jesus’ power. In response, Jesus told her, “‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’” (verses 25–26 nlt).

Death Is Not the End – The Bigger Picture

When Jesus spoke those words to Martha, He was saying something huge to His grieving friend. He was telling her, “Martha, listen to Me. Death is not the end! You’re acting as though it is over with. It is not over with.” I think, at this point, He was speaking of something more than just bringing Lazarus back. After all, raising Lazarus from the dead—as exciting and joyful as that may have been—was only a temporary thing. Lazarus would just die again in a matter of years. I think the bigger message was this: “Death is not the end. This is temporary. One day I will get rid of death altogether, and whoever believes in Me will live forever.” This promise points us to a much bigger hope than just a few more years of life here on earth.

Jesus’ Anger and Tears

It’s always striking to me how Jesus reacted to Lazarus’ death. Jesus wept at the death of His friend and at the sorrow of Lazarus’ two grieving sisters. You can see His deep compassion there. But the death of His friend also brought Him anger. John 11:33 tells us, “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled” (nlt). I think Jesus was angry at death itself because this was never God’s plan. God’s plan was to have us live forever. God’s plan was that our bodies would never age or wear out or experience sickness or limitations. So, He was angry over that, and He wept. But these weren’t tears of frustration. God is never frustrated.

Jesus Conquered Death

No, these tears and anger led to action. Jesus was angry, and then He did something about it that had been planned from eternity past. He gave up His life on a Roman cross, dying for the sins of the world, and then He rose again from the dead. The Bible says He has become the “firstfruits” of those who sleep, which means that He went before us. He paved the way. And because He went before us into death and came out victorious on the other side, those of us who now live and will face death someday can be confident and unafraid. We don’t have to dread it. Because we will live forever, and that’s a truth you can hold onto every single day.

Reflection question: How does the assurance that you will have eternal life impact your daily life in the here and now?