I Am the Resurrection and the Life: What Happens to Believers When They Die?

Jesus as the I AM: The Defeater of Death

Seven times, Jesus used the Greek form of the words I AM, the same name God gave to Moses when He called Himself I AM (Exodus 3:14). In John chapter eleven, Christ explicitly states that He is the I AM, declaring Himself the Resurrection and the Life, the one who overcomes Death itself. After learning that His friend Lazarus was very sick, Jesus told His disciples they were heading to Jerusalem to wake him.

¹¹After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” ¹²His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. ¹⁴So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe (John 11:11-15; emphasis added).

Why does the Bible call death "Falling Asleep"?

Jesus used the phrase "fallen asleep" (v. 11) to describe a believer's death, indicating the separation of the soul and spirit from the body. While the body rests in the grave, the spirit—the invisible part that represents our true selves—goes to be with the Lord. When Stephen was stoned for preaching Christ, he saw the Lord Jesus standing at God's right hand as he died (Acts 7:56), and the Scripture says he "fell asleep" (Acts 7:60). This was not the end for Stephen; the Lord Jesus rose from His usual seated position at God's right hand to welcome Stephen's spirit. Similarly, when Jesus visited Jairus' home to raise his daughter, He told mourners, “Stop wailing,” she is not dead but asleep (Luke 8:52). When Jesus brought her back to life, it says “her spirit returned” (Luke 8:55). If her spirit returned, where had she been? She had been with the Father during that time, even as her body stayed in the physical realm before Jesus. The apostle Paul also noted that for a believer, physical death is simply the sleep of the body.

To Depart and Be With Christ: Is Death Unconscious?

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him (1 Thessalonians 5:10; emphasis added).

Even when a believer's body is dead (asleep), we will still be very much alive and living with Christ. Paul writes about this topic elsewhere:

²²If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (Philippians 1:22-24).

Paul expressed his desire to depart and be with Christ. If he thought he would be unconscious after death, that would not be "far better." Instead, Paul believed that at the moment of death he would be immediately with Christ. Let’s now carry on the conversation that went on when Jesus arrived at Martha’s home:

Martha’s Faith and the Promise of Eternal Life

²¹“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” ²³Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world” (John 11:21-27).

Overcoming the Fear of Death through Christ

Jesus said, “Whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:26). Death is merely the body's sleep. Trusting in Christ prepares us for anything. Jesus, the Son of the Living God, has defeated death for us and on our behalf. Believers in Christ should have no fear of death. If Jesus is the "I AM" who holds the keys to life and death, then death is no longer a dark alley; it’s a doorway. If today you are fearful of the future, ask yourself: "If I truly believe I will never 'die' but only change locations to be with Christ, how much power does this fear actually have over me today?" Keith Thomas

Continue Your Journey…

If you found this meditation meaningful, maybe you’d like to explore the series, “Insights into Eternity,” and click on the first study, Do You Know What Happens When You Die?

YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos