Pastor Rusty Milton"Resurrection Comfort"John 11:17-27 ESVWe are commanded to take comfort, and comfort others, in the resurrection of Christ. During these times of hardship, when you see that others are struggling, are you looking for opportunities to do so? In John 11, we see Jesus offering the resurrection as the ultimate comfort in the face of death and loss. With his resurrection, every single believer, joined to him in the Spirit, will rise with him again. This is where the believer takes the greatest comfort for ourselves and others.  There are two comforts in John 11: the comfort of the people, and the comfort provided by Jesus.The comfort of the crowd (vs. 17-19) was offered by Mary and Martha's friends and family, as well as the professional mourners. The actual comfort this provided for them was naturally limited.When Jesus came, however, true comfort is offered. Martha runs to him (vs. 25-26), desperately pouring out her heart to him. In her sorrow, it becomes evident that the sisters do not understand that he is more than a prophet, but God in the flesh. He then turns her eyes and hope to himself as THE resurrection and the life. How do we apply this to our lives? It is by remembering that Christ's resurrection is the merit, cause, and model of our own resurrection. John 11:17-27 English Standard Version (ESV)I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[a] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[b] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”