Jesus Power Over Death

Don't be afraid, the end is not the end, death has been defeated. 

Luke 8:41-42,49,54-55 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying.

49 A messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up!

John 11:14-15, 25  “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him. I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."

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In the past two post we looked at Jesus power over the physical world and the spirit world, today I am looking at the power that Jesus had to restore life to a dead person. Jesus showed us on three occasions that he had the power to bring life back to somebody.

It is interesting to note that on two occasions he was delayed in reaching the dying person so they seemed to have died needlessly. Jesus didn't have the concern that we have when somebody is sick to the point of death, in both of the stories about his delay resulting in death, he had a greater work in mind. It was no sweat to bring them back to life and Jesus said that it would help the disciples to "really believe". (John 11:15)

God hates death, we were not meant to die, God gave Adam a rule to follow in Genesis 2:17 but Adam and Eve chose to put their faith in the serpents distorted interpretation of scripture instead of talking to God. They talked to him everyday so it seems like they would have asked God to clarify anything that the Devil told them.

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die

- David Crowder

Jesus asked us all to die, not a physical death, he wants our old life, our selfishness and pride to be put to death. He wants me to live for his will and purpose instead of my own, I cannot please him unless the old man dies, it is a moment by moment decision to put aside self and pickup my cross. (Galatians 2:20, Matthew 16:24-25)

Thank you for taking the fear out of dying, help me Lord to die to self every moment of every day.

People that Jesus raised from the dead:

The daughter of Jairus shortly after death, a young man in the midst of his own funeral procession, and Lazarus, who had been buried for four days.

Jesus defeated the power of death: 

Ps 16:10; Jn 2:19; Jn 5:21; Jn 17:2; Ac 2:24,32; Ro 1:4; Ro 6:9; Eph 1:19-20; Php 3:10