Death Defying Power

Are you afraid of death? Why do you think people fear dying? Some might say it is the fear of the unknown. Other fear losing their loved ones. Others fear waiting judgment. How should we approach death as believers?

I want to look at three brief case studies:

In Mark 5:35-43, we see Jesus raise Jairus' daughter from the dead. Jesus simply commands the dead girl to rise, and she does.

Luke 7:11-16 tells us about a funeral that Jesus stopped. Moved by compassion, Jesus speaks life back into a young man, and gives him back to his mother.

The account of Lazarus is more widely known. In John 11:1-43, we are told about the death and subsequent resuscitation of Lazarus. In this story, Lazarus had been dead four days and had began to smell. Yet, Jesus was able to call him out of the grave, as one would call a child from their bedroom.

There are at least three ways to view these stories. One way suggest they are myth. Some would say there is no truth to these stories. They are just legends told to make Jesus seem more powerful.  Another way to read this stories is to suggest there is a kernel of truth to them, either as moral bearing fables, or events of Jesus being in the right place at the right time and recognizing life where others saw death. The final way to approach them is as truth. We see three events where Jesus actually brought three individuals back to life.

If we accept these as truth, as I believe we should, then these stories encourage us to trust in Jesus. We are moved to ask why Jesus raised these individuals back to life. I propose four reasons:

1. To accomplish the Father's will (John 5:19-30)

2. To demonstrate his power over death (John 5:21, 28-30; 11:21-26), including his own death (John 8:31-33; 10:32-34; 14:12-26; John 10:18)

3. To engender faith (John 11:41-42)

4. To show compassion (John 7:11-16)

These stories offer us, in a very tangible way, a reminder that Jesus will one day call us forth from the grave. They teach us that Jesus has power even over death. So how should we respond?

1. Trust Jesus.

2. Meditate on his power (Jesus hasn't changed).

3. Meditate on the resurrection.

4. Rethink death.

5. Meditate on your mortality and immortality.

6. Live this life as preparation for the next one.