When Lazarus died, crowds gathered to console Mary and Martha. When Jesus arrived Martha said to Him, "If you had been here my brother would not have died."
Jesus says to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:23-26)
While Jesus promised many things in the course of His ministry, this one promise is the key to gaining eternal salvation. Jesus is claiming to be "the resurrection and the life." First, as "the resurrection," Jesus guarantees, "He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." That is, Jesus insures bodily resurrection from the dead to all who believe in Him ("The First Resurrection." Revelation 20:6)
Jesus is promising that death will not keep the person who believes in Him from bodily participation in His eternal kingdom. Jesus confirmed this claim by raising Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:43-45)
Second, as "the life," Jesus certifies, "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
Jesus affirms that no believer will ever experience spiritual death. As "the life," Jesus is the Guarantor of eternal life: the believer will never lose eternal life. All who believe in Him are secure forever.
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