Jesus' Miracles預覽

Are Believers Dead or Only Sleeping?

Jesus was close friends with the siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He would often spend time with them in their home as He passed through their town. Lazarus had been sick and dying for days, and Jesus did not arrive to heal him, so he died.

Family and friends were practicing the ministry of presence “in the house, consoling.” Out of their pain, with an accusatory tone, they wonder why Jesus, who can make the blind see, did not arrive to keep Lazarus alive. Like most families, the sisters have very different personalities. Martha is more of a practical thinker and doer. Mary is more of a feeler, more emotional and relational.

Upon hearing about the death of His friend, Jesus was profoundly troubled, even weeping, even though He knew Lazarus would rise. Calling Lazarus by name, the man returned to life, even though he had been dead for days. The early church father Augustine said that had Jesus not spoken Lazarus’ name, the entire graveyard would have emptied.

In this moving scene with grieving friends, Jesus forcefully declared Himself as the resurrection and the life (this is the final of seven “I AM” statements Jesus makes in John’s Gospel). This means that He alone has authority over life and death and that resurrection is in Him alone. Jesus further explains that access to life and resurrection is available to all who have faith in Him, and though they may die, it will not be their final state.

This miracle sign points to the future resurrection of all of Jesus’ friends in the Kingdom of God. Lastly, Jesus uses the metaphor of sleep for death, and this is the language the Bible uses for God’s people (Matthew 9:24; Mark 5:39; Acts 7:60; I Corinthians 15:6).

When believers die, it is like they are sleeping as their soul goes to be with the Lord, and their body goes into the ground, until the resurrection of the dead when the physical and spiritual aspects of our being are reunited and resurrected. What a glorious day that will be!

What were the main things you learned studying Jesus’ miracles? What changed in your walk with Him as you studied?

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