Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Luke 8:53-55 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.
THE FACTS OF THE RESURRECTION -- THE POWER OF JESUS
Perhaps the reason why there are so many theories surrounding Jesus' resurrection is because a resurrection to life defies human logic. Wherever we look, we see things dying, and none of us have witnessed a resurrection. A resurrection to life just isn't logical. But throughout Jesus' life and ministry He proved that He had power over death.
Jesus crashed every funeral He attended. He demonstrated His power over death by restoring life to the young daughter of a Jewish synagogue official named Jairus simply by saying, "Little girl, arise." He also raised to life a widow's only son, from the city of Nain, and called His friend Lazarus from the grave after He had been dead for four days.
But Jesus also told the people that He had the power to raise Himself from the dead as well. He said: "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again" (John 10:17-18). Jesus has power over death, and He assures us of the fact of the resurrection. Hallelujah! Jesus lives!
Hallelujah! Jesus lives! He is now the Living One;
From the gloomy house of death forth the Conqueror has gone,
Bright Forerunner to the skies of His people, yet to rise.
Jesus lives! Why weepest thou? Why that sad and frequent sigh?
He who died our Brother here lives our Brother still on high,
Lives forever to bestow blessings on His Church below.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 188:1-2)
