Faithful on Fridays Blog

Resurrections

We’ve established that miracles, signs, and wonders performed by God override the natural order of life, and always benefit His people, but Jesus stretched those truths to the ‘nth’ degree. There are three, significantly different accounts of Jesus raising the dead but each time shows His loving care to individuals and also families.

Widow of Nain (Luke 7)

At the beginning of ministry Jesus and His disciples encountered an unnamed widow following her enshrouded only son being carried to his burial. These were nobodies to the world, but treasures to Him, therefore, using the opportunity to prove His authority over death He stopped the parade. This hopeless, grieving widow, who didn’t even ask Him for help, listened to His words as He commanded the corpse to stand and her son’s body obeyed the voice of God. The huge crowd that followed Jesus acknowledged that God had visited His people, maybe as another Elijah or Elisha who raised the dead. Could He be the Messiah, the Sunrise, Zechariah (John the Baptizer’s father) had prophesied (Luke 1:68-79) who would redeem, rescue, and enlighten those in the shadow of death? Regardless, Jesus showed His power to reign over death and also restore a family. True grace.

Jairus (Matt. 9, Mark 5, Luke 8)

Next we encounter a ruler of the synagogue, a somebody, whose daughter was at death’s door. Unlike the widow, Jairus had the audacity to beg Jesus to go to her hoping she’ll be healed. Jesus agreed but was waylaid by a woman needing healing whom He wouldn’t ignore. Jairus could’ve been lost in the pressing crowd or simply patient in faith, but the Healer finally returned to him after receiving word his daughter had died. Jesus’ encouragement in the midst of tragedy was to simply have no fear and believe she will be whole again. Silencing the wailers He took His elite three and her parents into the home, defied expectations, and His sovereignty raised her from the dead. A mother/son and now parents/daughter resurrections; clearly Jesus loves families.

Lazarus (John 11)

Finally, at the end of His ministry we arrive at one of Jesus’ BFF’s whose sisters are devastated He didn’t come and heal their brother. He’d delayed His trip in order to show God’s glory but Martha and Mary didn’t know that; they’re discouraged and confused. In the midst of their faithlessness Jesus commanded Lazarus’ body to walk out of the tomb and it responded. There was no other explanation, it was undeniable, He proved to be the Resurrection and the Life. 

Miracles are God’s way of showing His love and care for individuals and families, at the same time authenticating He’s the promised Messiah. No one can replicate His miracles and no one can take any credit: It’s all about Him. These resurrections are a foretaste of what’s in our future as believers; we have the promise of eternal life, therefore, we need not fear death since it’s only temporary. Hallelujah!