IS CHRIST'S RESURRECTION DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS'?
In the accounts we read in the Bible, many people, besides Jesus were raised from the dead.
There was Lazarus. There was the widow’s son and the Israelite who touched Elishah’s bones. Eutychus, Jairus’ daughter and others are examples of people raised from the dead in scripture. Some even believe that Jonah died in the great fish and was raised after three days. (See Jonah 2:2 and Matthew 12:40) It makes sense he would die when swallowed up! So if all these people died, and then were raised to life, why don’t we worship them as we do Jesus? Why was his resurrection different? Here are a couple clear reasons…
I) JESUS RAISED HIMSELF FROM THE DEAD
All the others did not raise themselves! Christ is recorded as teaching the following…
John 10:17-18 "I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again."
No other account in the scriptures reveals a person rising from the dead by their own power, will, or authority. Only Jesus was able to do that. He was God – embodied in human form.
II) JESUS’ RESURRECTION FULFILLED MESSIANIC PROMISES
All the others did not fulfill specific prophecy. God’s plan to expand his people across the earth and give people life, freedom from sin and eternity with him, all rested on the shoulders of Jesus. He was the Messiah, the Savior of the world! His resurrection proved that.
“he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” Acts 2:31 / Psalm 16:10
III) JESUS’ RESURRECTION DESTROYED DEATH FOREVER
“This grace was given us in Christ Jesus …has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ…, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” II Timothy 1:9-10
Every day, let’s worship God in awe of what Jesus did. He died for our sins – and raised himself back to life. Christ destroyed the power of sin and death over us. He gives us a sure hope for our being raised on that final day!
Jerry Maday