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Who Raises The Dead?

John 11:23-27
Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’ (NIVUK)

Martha's brother had been dead for four days (John 11:38-39).  When she met Jesus after the funeral, she expressed her confusion that He had not come sooner to heal Lazarus; however, she also believed a miracle was still possible (John 11:21-22).  So Jesus probed her understanding of life after death by telling her that Lazarus would rise again.  

Martha said she believed that God's people will be raised to life on the Last Day: but she had not grasped that Jesus could raise the dead … although she must have known about two other incidents of bringing people back to life (Mark 5:35-42; Luke 7:11-17).  Then Jesus told her plainly that resurrection power was in His hand for all those who put their trust in Him.
 
Then Jesus asked her directly, "Do you believe this?" (Matthew 9:27-31). Suddenly her attention was shifted from her grief to His identity.  In a moment, the truth came flooding into her heart, as she realised that He was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.  It was a revelation which totally cleared her mind of any doubts she may have had about the wisdom and kindness of Jesus - because of His delayed arrival.  She saw God in the body of a man, the author of life and the conqueror of death. This put her life into a whole new perspective. She had just spoken to her Creator, and the wonder of that moment filled her horizon.  That day, Martha verbally confessed her faith in Jesus.  It was the beginning of the new-life miracle.
 
There is no doubt that personal tragedies, great and small, fill our thinking and so easily obscure our view of Jesus.  We may see Him as a friend, a helper, a kind person to bring comfort and provision ... in other words, our ego and circumstances occupy the centre space of our lives, but we are glad if Jesus comes to assist us.  Like Martha, we need to realise that Jesus is God the Son who by divine right occupies the centre of all He has made.  He is not just 'on call' for our emergencies.  As we trust and worship Him, our lives (with their joys and sorrows) are seen differently in His divine and eternal perspective.  We realise that we are totally safe under His authority.  The big question is "Do you believe this?" If we do, we should intentionally vacate the centre space and allow Jesus to be in command - whatever our circumstances.

Prayer 
Sovereign Lord. Thank You that Jesus has resurrection power in His hand. I believe that He is my life-giver. I know that His rightful place is in the centre of all He has made. So I repent of allowing my life-events to obscure His sovereign authority and glory, seeking His help without submitting myself to Him. Please help me to see my Saviour over all things, to bring them under His control. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams