Raised From The Dead
Throughout the New Testament, we have multiple accounts of people who were raised from the dead. The first occurrence is in the city of Nain in Luke 7:11-15. This is when the dead son of the widow was raised from the dead by Jesus, while the young man was in route to his own funeral. And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Then, there’s Luke 8:49-55 and the case of Jairus’ daughter. While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
Jesus, by the power of His voice, called both of these dead young people back from the realm of death before they were buried so that they might continue their time on the earth, among their families and perhaps to even raise children of their own. This brought their families great joy.
But who could forget the John 11 account when Jesus raised Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary from the dead? This case is a bit different from the two above, in that John had been dead four days and was in the tomb. Upon Jesus’ arrival at Bethany, and following His conversation with Martha and Mary, He went to the burial site. John 11:38-45 we read the conclusion of this event. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
In addition to these, we have the disciples who had been “sleeping”, now walking in Jerusalem in Matthew 27:52-53 immediately after the death of Jesus on the cross. We also have the Acts 9:36-42 “raising” of Tabitha (Dorcas), by Peter, and the account of the death and the restoration of life in Acts 20:7-12 of Eutychus by the hands of Paul, as the Spirit worked through them both. As incredible as these “resurrections” were, all of these who had been raised from the dead would die again later.
However, there is a “resurrection” that has far more impact than all of these and that provides great benefits to those who will follow God’s Word. That, of course, is the resurrection of Christ. When Christ was raised from the dead, He would not die again. His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension is how Jesus provided what He promised in John 10:10b. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
That promise was fulfilled in the New Testament age, which began at Pentecost, A.D. 33. The apostles received “power from on high” and delivered the inspired message. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we too can have the hope of the resurrection. 1Peter 1:3-5 tells us what we shall receive and when we shall receive it. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Won’t you hear that inspired message, obey the gospel and make the preparation for that final resurrection? Hear His Word, and believe. Then repent of your sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God, be baptized into Christ, and remain faithful until death. You can have that inheritance.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
