I hope you and your family had a great Easter celebrating the resurrection of Jesus! The resurrection is the greatest miracle of all! Jesus not only rose from the grave, but he raised others as well. These three other resurrections teach us three lessons:
Miracles Require Faith
In Mark 5:22-43, we read about Jairus and his daughter. Sandwiched right in the middle is the story about a woman with the issue of blood. We will digest it the way it is given to us. Jairus is a synagogue leader and the Jewish leaders were opposed to Jesus. However, his only daughter, who was 12-years-old, was dying. Jairus had nowhere else to go so he turned to Jesus. God works miracles through desperation. Suddenly, a woman interrupts Jesus. Jesus is never too busy to stop and help the hurting. She too had been sick for 12 years. Many people pressed against Jesus that day but only one was healed. Jesus perceived that power had gone out. A great transaction took place. He took her uncleanliness and by faith she received His healing. Jairus then gets word his daughter had died. The situation went from bad to worse. He thought it was too late. You may be thinking that about your situation. It is not too late. Jesus said, “Only believe.” Jairus had a choice to make. He could believe his friends or believe Jesus. You may be at the end of your rope. Your child, your marriage, your business, or your health is in trouble and dying. Miracles require faith. Miracles require movement. Both the father and the woman fell at the feet of Jesus. Disappointment and desperation can either paralyze you or propel you. Jesus raised this little girl from the dead and he healed the woman. There is always God’s part and man’s part. In both cases, Jesus called for faith. Not faith in faith, but faith in Him.
Miracles Restore Hope
In Luke 7:12-16, we read of another resurrection. The son of a widow was about to be buried. Her husband was dead and now her only son. Again, the situation looked hopeless. No parent should have to bury their child. In this case, Jesus touched the body of a dead person. It reminds us that He did what the others would not do and became unclean so we might become clean. Verse 13 says the Lord “saw her.” He sees you! He sees what is going on with your son or daughter, family, finances, marriage, health, or job. It was no accident or coincidence, but was providence, that Jesus and the woman met at that very moment. If either had left earlier or later, they would not have met. We have an on-time God! He is never early, and He is never late. The same verse says that Jesus had compassion on the woman. He is touched by the things that touch you. First Corinthians 15:19 says, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” There is more to life than this life. There are times in this life when you need more than you can do. You need a miracle! Through Jesus we have hope!
Miracles Reveal Love
In John 11 we read the story of Lazarus. Verse 5 makes it clear that Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, but when He got word that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days (v. 6). He made them wait. Often when we are praying for a miracle, God makes us wait on the Lord. It’s like a spiritual waiting room. When Jesus arrived to their home, Mary and Martha both said, “Lord, if you had been here….” God can deal with your doubts and questions. Be honest in your prayers. It is not irreverent, it is intimate. If you are mad or disappointed with God, tell Him. He already knows it! When Jesus saw everyone weeping over Lazarus, He too wept. He chose to enter their pain. You never cry alone. He knows what it is like to stand by a grave. He knows what it is like to have a broken heart, to be betrayed or rejected, to bleed, and to die. But there is coming a day when He will wipe away every tear! Jesus told them to remove the gravestone but they were worried about the smell. If Jesus can keep you from hell and take you to heaven, don’t you think He can work out your stinking problem? God can turn your mess into a miracle. Finally, “Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” (v. 43). Lazarus was raised to life again. Jesus can bring dead things to life. He can set you free!
One of the key verses in this passage is verse 25. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” We pray and believe God for the miracle, but if it does not work out on earth like we hope, it is going to be OK. If you are believing on Jesus, this earth is as close to hell as you will ever get. It only gets better! The opposite is also true. If you are not believing on Jesus, this earth is as close to heaven as you will ever get. It only gets worse. Have you trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?
Works Consulted:
Christ-Centered Exposition Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Exploring the Gospels by Vines
Truth for Life.Org
Miracles by Groeschel
Miracles by Hodges
Mark Be Diligent by Wiersbe
