Many have been resuscitated but only One resurrected. That is correct. Only Jesus, the Messiah, conquered death and the power of the Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead forever. People who do not wish to be resuscitated in the event they die, put in their medical records “DNR.” This means “do not resuscitate.” People who don’t have DNR in writing will be resuscitated at all costs if there is the smallest survival chance. However, even those who are resuscitated or brought back from a “code blue” will eventually die someday. But not Jesus. He was not resuscitated. He was raised from the dead and resurrected. He lives for ever and ever!
In Luke 24:46-49, Jesus told His disciples, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me. You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Jesus died on a Friday afternoon and was buried in a tomb sealed with a large stone rolled at the entrance. Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James went to the tomb to put burial spices on Jesus’ body. But the tomb was empty. An angel told them, “Do not be surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” (Mark 16:6)
The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44 NLT)
Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha, and they were all close friends of Jesus. He was away in ministry when he got the message to go to Bethany because Lazarus was ill. But Jesus stayed where he was even though He loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Two days later, He finally told the disciples to return to Judea and eventually get back to Bethany. When Jesus arrived, Martha went out to meet him and said, “Lord, if only you would have been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus replied, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said, “Yes, he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
Then Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (John 11:25-26). Then Jesus called Mary and when she came out, she said the same as Martha, “Lord if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus asked to go where they buried Lazarus and after thanking the Father for hearing His prayer, Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
These passages are packed with insights. Let’s unpack them one by one:
Jesus loved his friends.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were some of Jesus’ closest friends and He cared deeply about them. When they took Jesus to Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus wept. (v.35). The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” (v.36).
Jesus waited.
You may ask, if Jesus loved them so much, why did he stay away? Why didn’t he rushed to rescue his friend from death? Precisely because He loved them. Jesus knew that by waiting a few days, Lazarus would die, and God would be glorified when Jesus performed the miracle of rising him from the dead. Jesus did this for the sake of all the people who witnessed the miracle and believed. So, although Jesus knew his friends would suffer for a little while, He allowed it because there was a bigger miracle coming.
At first, Mary didn’t come out.
When Jesus arrived, Martha went out to meet Jesus. “But Mary stayed in the house” (v.20). Sometimes we recent Jesus for not performing “the miracle” we need in our life at the time we ask. And Jesus knows our hearts. He understands our side of the story and has compassion for us. Jesus still did the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. But He did it in His own time. In the perfect time so others would believe and benefit from witnessing the miracle.
We need to be patient.
In our suffering while going through difficult times, we must be patient and wait for God to act. We must never lose our faith and continue praying because in the end, Jesus will perform the miracle. Whether it’s here on earth where we can see it with our physical eyes or in heaven where we will see it with our spiritual eyes. Mary told Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” Mary knew that the Father heard Jesus’ prayers and believed in the miracle even though her brother was already dead.
Jesus has authority over death.
Jesus had to physically die so our sins died with Him and were buried with Him. Death is the consequence of sin and Jesus conquered the power that sin has over our lives. Jesus not only conquered death himself but also has authority and power to command death to leave a person’s body and bring new life into it. The power comes from the Holy Spirit. And is the same power He gave to all of us who believe in Him.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
That’s what Jesus told Martha. And everyone who believes in Jesus will live forever—even after physical death. “Do you believe this?” (v.26) That was the question Jesus asked Martha.
And that is the question I will leave you with today. Regardless of if you have a “DNR” on your driver’s license or medical records, someday you will experience physical death. Jesus invites you to experience spiritual life now and for eternity. And all you have to do is believe in Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Many have been resuscitated but only One resurrected—Jesus!