Thursday, February 11, 2016
Matthew 9:19, 23-25 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples ... When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
LOOK AT YOUR SAVIOR'S HANDS -- HANDS THAT RAISE!
My son has been asking me more questions about death lately. "What's it like when you die, Dad?" he's asked. "I don't know," I reply, "I've never done it before." And I've gone on to say, "But with all the blessings of modern medicine and pain relievers today, in my experience it seems to me a lot like peacefully falling asleep."
Isn't it difficult to speak about death? Whether it is our young child or someone who has recently lost a spouse, sibling, or dear friend, death is an awkward and uncomfortable subject. I'm thankful that my children at this age actually want to hear my thoughts, what I believe, and more importantly, what the Bible has to say about life and death. I'm surprised that most people don't ridicule me for my faith in God's Word. They don't laugh at me or make fun of me like those people did to Jesus at that funeral when He said the dead girl was "sleeping."
Like my son or any of us for that matter, our limited earthly minds don't understand much about death, the soul, or what it will be like when we die. But Jesus does reveal something about Himself that's of the highest importance to know. His hands, our Savior's dear hands that were nailed to the tree to forgive our sins, are also hands that raise! Jesus teaches us through this raising of Jairus' daughter that it is as easy for Him to raise the dead as it is for me to wake up my sleeping son. Jesus teaches us that He has all power over life and death, not just with this little girl or with His friend Lazarus, but with His own death as well! In Jesus' resurrection from the dead we have hope, we have confidence. You and I have a Savior to whom we can look joyfully and thankfully in faith, seeing His nail-pierced and living hands-- hands that both can and will raise the dead to life!
