Thursday: Jesus Conquered Death
Why was Lazarus’ resurrection the crowning miracle of Christ’s earthly ministry? See John 11:38-44.
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
Though Jesus had raised two others from the dead, none was as dramatic as this. Lazarus had been dead for four days, a fact that Martha corroborated at the graveside. Jesus performed the miracle in the full light of day before a crowd of respected witnesses from Jerusalem. The evidence couldn’t be dismissed.
Still, far more important than Lazarus’ resurrection was Jesus’ own resurrection. Since He has life in Himself, He not only has the power to raise the dead and give life to whom He wills (John 5:21), but He also has the power to lay down His own life and take it again (John 10:17-18). His resurrection proved this convincingly.
What is the relationship between Christ’s resurrection and ours? Why is His resurrection so important for our salvation? See 1 Cor. 15:17-20.
Christ’s power to break the bonds of death is undisputed. He arose from the sepulcher as the first fruits of those who slept in Him. His resurrection is the guarantee of every believer’s resurrection, for He has the keys of death (Rev. 1:17-18).
To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored; for He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will: He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity.
— Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 786, 787.
Death is so powerful that only the One who first created life can restore it. What does this truth tell us about why we must trust that Jesus can, and will, resurrect us as He promised?
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We can trully understand from Him (Jesus)alone
Perhaps the most feared enemy in this world is death. Yet Jesus was not for a moment intimidated by its threat or power to hold (1 Corinthians 15:55). By referring to death as a sleep He who is the Resurrection and the life (John 11:25) conveyed that to Him it was more of an inconvenient interruption than a devastating blow.
Death derives much of its strength from the fear instilled in the average person. As he was introducing sin to the infant planet the serpent insinuated that the dwellers on earth had nothing to worry about concerning death, because it was not real (Genesis 3:4). After the sting (sin) was felt he moved to destroy those whom he was allowed to. The others he would try to kill with fear. God’s response is love (1 John 4:18) and hope and freedom (Hebrews 2:14, 15).
Those who are becoming like Christ may get to the point where to them, like to Christ death is of small consequence. They lose the fear of death and trust the Judge of all the earth to do right (Genesis 18:25). For they know He who holds the keys (Revelation 1:18) marks the spot where the faithful rest, and will call again.
Be sure to hide your life with Christ in God and no enemy will scare (Colossians 3:1-4). Christ imparts life now, and at the final restoration an eternal measure (John 10:10; John 4:14). O glorious day when Jesus calls again!
There's hope in the risen Christ! !!
Dan 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 508 AD to 1843 = 1335 at the end of which is a blessing. Meaning all who die faithfully believing the third angel message , will come up in the resurrection of Daniel 12;10 and even those that pierced Him.
We keep speaking of the dead that we have also a message of the judgment of the living whereby some of us will never die , but it seem as though we have made a covenant with death . that though Jesus as said Luk_9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. I’m not sure what this means, but the people of revelation 14;1 never died and this was EGW first vision , and this was the pioneers hope . God is the God of the living. And Jesus already rose from the dead. To extent life eternal to those that believe this truth today , our they will not even be a miracle to resurrect us from spiritual death. Jesus death and resurrection points to live evermore, But all my year in church ,we more speak of death than life starting now,
Isa_28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement;
Lennox, I'm not quite certain what you mean by your comment, but I do believe that we can experience eternal life beginning now.
He who has Christ, has life now - not just beginning some time in the future. The only "death" that the righteous experience is the sleep until the resurrection. To them, it will be only an instant of time until they wake up to the resurrection call of Christ.
“since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him” (Rom 6:9). As the risen Savior himself says, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Rev 1:18). The beautiful Reformation painting above powerfully pictures Christ’s victory over death by showing both death (the skeleton) and the devil under his feet.
But Christ has conquered death not only for himself but also for all who make his resurrection their own. This can only be done through baptism and faith in Jesus. Through baptism we are united to Christ’s resurrection: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4). And the one who calls himself the Resurrection and the Life declares, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). As 1 Co 15:57 says, “God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” There is none other who vanquished death and who can give us the victory over it. Only Jesus did and can.
Jesus did not visit Lazarus who was seriously ill while he was still alive. A best friend would have done so. Perhaps Jesus action shows the importance of His decision. Which one is more important? Healing or resurrection. John 11:4 says that Lazarus sickness is for the glory of God. Lazarus resurrection has glorified his friend Jesus. Are we not asked to glorify Jesus in any situation we might find ourselves especially when we have serious problems or illnesses? Remember healing is only temporary but resurrection is eternal.
This lesson is especially important to people like me who have suffered much lost to death and so many in such a short time, my dad, mom, cousin(murdered), and husband in July of this year, all died in one in a half years from each other. I was able to hold on to the promise that one day I would see them rise up with us to met Jesus in the air. I truly hope this will help someone to hold on as well
Jesus was careful in every aspect of His creation the way he lead Israel through the wilderness and to His earthly ministries. Notice at the resurrection of Lazarus He was very careful to call him that was dead by name. If that was not carefully done all who sleep would hear His voice especially those who believed in the promise and come froth from the grave.
The speculative thought that Jesus had to be careful not to wake up others at Lazarus tomb, although sometimes repeated in the pulpit and echoed by others, may not be as complimentary to Jesus as appears on the surface.
Over the years was there only one Lazarus in the grave in the land of Israel, or anywhere else, who was faithful? How loud was it necessary for Jesus to call? Being dead how did Lazarus actually hear the call?
Though unlikely intended the preceding theory actually conveys the notion that Jesus was not exactly in full control of the power he exercised and so had to proceed cautiously. The Life Giver is able to impart life to exactly whom He wills and exactly when He wills by any thought, any word or any act He chooses, and not make a mistake or incur any unintended outcome.
Much of what God did through Christ was for the benefit of observers, and Lazarus' resurrection was especially a statement making event - Jesus is able and will resurrect the faithful.
I know I might be stirring the pot, but I disagree with this statement. "Since He has life in Himself, He not only has the power to raise the dead and give life to whom He wills (John 5:21), but He also has the power to lay down His own life and take it again (John 10:17-18)" Perhaps I am over thinking it. but if Jesus had the power to raise Himself, there was no need for God in heaven to command the angels to roll back the stone and no need for Him to call his son forth. Also to my humble way of thinking, IF Jesus in fact KNEW that he was coming back to life, TO ME (and probably to me alone) it tarnishes the sacrifice and precious gift of His death on the cross. Why did He beg, let this cup pass? Now I am certain I will have people say to me that Jesus said he would destroy the temple and raise it up again in 3 days. Was He speaking a Fact (like 1+1=2) or Faith (like Algebra, it works out somehow, but I know not how)? Was the death of Lazarus to show point us to the death and the Father calling His son forth? Just my wondering.
Kimberly: In an article in A/R online, Mark Finley quoted from Desire of Ages pg 753. I think it answers your question:
Ellen White explains the significance of the cross powerfully:
“Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Savior in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by [us]. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.
“Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Savior could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as the sinner’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.”2
This is the story of grace. This is the story of a Savior’s love beyond measure. This is the story of a Jesus who loves us so much that He would rather experience hell itself than have one of us lost. This is the story of a boundless, unfathomable, incomprehensible, undying, unending, infinite love that longs for us to be with Him eternally. He was willing to assume the guilt, condemnation, and consequences of our sin and, if necessary, be separated from His Father forever if that is what it would take to save us.
Thank you Leilani. I think you stregthened my point. Jesus did not even know if His sacarface would be accepted, so He did not hve power to raise Himself up from the dead. Even He, our Creator and Reedemer, had to bow to the law of God and wait to be called forth. Thank you. Happy Sabbath my friends
Christ said, "All things are delivered unto Me of My Father." Matthew 11:27. Therefore the power to raise people and Himself from the dead was delivered to Christ by God the Father. You are mis quoting John 5:21 My Bible says " For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."
John 10:17-18 closes with saying, "this commandment have I received of My Father." Consistent with Matthew 11:27.
I don't believe that we have to understand this mystery to be saved. We need to abide in Him, rejoicing always. To abide in Him, we need to pray unceasingly. Our prayers should be full of thanks giving for what He has done for us. 1Thessalonians 5:16,17,18. If you do feel you need to understand this mystery Christ promised to give you the understanding of mystery's in Mark 4:11. So I would suggest you getting together with the Holy Spirit, again in unceasing prayer.
Indeed Christ's resurrection is the powerful tool of our faith and hope. Could Jesus have not resurrected our faith could have been baseless!
I am the resurrection, and the life.” In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life.” 1 John 5:12. The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life. “He that believeth in Me,” said Jesus, “though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Christ here looks forward to the time of His second coming. Then the righteous dead shall be raised incorruptible, and the living righteous shall be translated to heaven without seeing death. The miracle which Christ was about to perform, in raising Lazarus from the dead, would represent the resurrection of all the righteous dead. By His word and His works He declared Himself the Author of the resurrection. He who Himself was soon to die upon the cross stood with the keys of death, a conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give eternal life. – {DA 530.3