Hebraic Musing – How many Resurrections are recorded in the Bible?
More than I
originally thought! What can we learn
from these Biblically recorded accounts?
1.
The first resurrection involves Elijah and the grief-stricken widow’s son. “And he said to her, ‘Give me your son.’ …
And he stretched himself out on the child three times, … and said, ‘O
LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him.’ Then the
LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and
he revived. … Then the woman said
to Elijah, ‘Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and
that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.’” 1 Kings 17:17-24. NKJV Resurrection of
the dead was testimony of the power and love of God!
2.
The second resurrection involves the desperate Shunamite woman whose son died. “When Elisha came into the house, there was
the child, lying dead on his bed. He went in … and prayed to the LORD.
And (FINALLY) … the child
sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And … when she came
in to him, he said, ‘Pick up your son.’.” 2 Kings 4:8-37 is worth reading to fully
appreciate the woman’s faith!
3.
In Israel there are many caves where the bodies are placed, after death. After the
flesh has rotted away, the bones are put in a bone box called as ossuary.
More than one body could be buried in the same place, in this case it was
Elisha’s body. “So it was, as they
were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put
the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched
the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.” 2 Kings 13:21 Even
the bones of God’s prophet, Elisha, produced life!
What
impact did these NT resurrection examples have on the faith of the
disciples?
4.
Jesus resurrected a widow’s only son. “…behold, a dead man was being carried
out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. …, He had compassion on
her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, … And He said, ‘Young
man, I say to you, arise.’ So he
who was dead sat up and began to speak. … Then fear came upon all, and they
glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us.’” And the result of this resurrection is in verse
17. “… And this report
about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.”
Luke 7:11-17
5.
The synagogue leader in faith begs Jesus to heal his daughter. “…he
fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at
the point of death. Come and lay Your
hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.’ So Jesus went
with him…, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, ‘Your
daughter is dead. Why trouble the
Teacher any further?’ As soon as Jesus
heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’ And He permitted no one to follow Him
except Peter, James, and John … He said to
them, ’Why make this
commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.’ … Then He took the child by the hand, and said
to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little
girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately
the girl arose and walked, …. And the three disciples were overcome with
great amazement.”
Mark 5:22-24,35-42.
6.
The resurrection of Lazarus is the most well known, next to Jesus’s own. Shortly after the shortest verse, “Jesus
wept” in John 11:35, “Jesus said, ’Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was
dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, … Jesus said to
her, “Did I not say to you that if you would
believe you would see the glory of God?’” And in vs.43 – “He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And
he who had died came out.” Thus
they believed in Jesus!
7. At the moment
when Jesus was crucified, “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in
two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the
graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were
raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they
went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew
27:51-53 God demonstrated His
power by gloriously raising some well-known saints and prophets shortly
after Jesus’ death, a stunning sign to all who witnessed it.
8.
While mourning the loss of beloved Tabitha “Peter put
them all out, and knelt down and prayed. … he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she
opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his
hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he
presented her alive.” The result. “And it became known throughout all Joppa,
and many believed on the Lord.” Acts 9:40-42
What was the impact on Peter’s faith and
the faith of many?
9.
Paul was preaching an Havdalah message late Saturday night “And in a window
sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was … overcome by sleep; and as
Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up
dead. But Paul went
down, fell on him, and embracing him said, ‘Do not trouble yourselves, for his
life is in him.’” Acts 20:9-10 Not an ordinary church service event! How did this resurrection minister to
Paul? And to the Church?
Jesus
Himself explained the importance of resurrections. “Do
not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves
will hear His voice and come forth—.” John 5:28-29
Points to ponder
Does this give you
the faith and hope you need for your own resurrection?
Do you remember
the day Jesus was Resurrected in your life?
Come quickly Lord
Jesus
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of Christian Faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
Note – Inspired by Johanna Shager Hocker’s “Eight Resurrections, besides Yeshua, found in the Bible”
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