I think about the Resurrection a lot. I think that it may be the most difficult part of the Christ saga for non-believers to wrap their minds around. For the believer however, it is one of the issues at the core of what we believe. (Luke 24:1-12 NRSV) It sets us apart. Many believe in Jesus but not the resurrection. Isn't this how we test the spirits? God in the flesh, crucified and resurrected? And while the resurrection of Christ is all beautiful and all glorious, there was more than one resurrection that Jesus was involved in.
For example, there was Jairus's daughter. The event is recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, and the Gospel of Luke (8:40-56 NRSV). But my favorite verses are Luke 8:53-54 NRSV, "And they all laughed at him, knowing she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out 'Child, get up!'" BLESS HOLY GOD! I get excited by this story every time I read it! I'm pretty whipped up even now as I write. Jesus ordered them to keep it a secret. Are you kidding us Lord?
Then there was the son of the widow at Nain. Jesus stopped the funeral procession that time. He touched the bier and said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" (Luke 7:11-17 NRSV) The people were frightened and "they glorified God." Yes, that would be unnerving, would it not, to have a guy walk up and raise your loved one from the dead? I don't make light of this at all! This is the point, in fact, this is the good news, that Jesus Christ is in charge of life and death! Eternal life, defeated death. And He wants us to live!
Then, of course, there was Lazarus. Lazarus is arguably the most famous of the resurrectees. In this instance, Jesus waited for Lazarus to die before resurrecting him. When Lazarus's sisters sent for Jesus, Jesus said, "This illness does not lead to death, but rather, it is for God's glory, so that the Son of Man may be glorified through it." (John 11:4 NRSV) Then Jesus went back to what he was doing. There never was a doubt in Jesus' mind that Lazarus would live, because Jesus had the power over life and death, as he does today. His own resurrection is proof of that.
Christ, as we know, died a horrible death. He was beaten, likely beyond recognition, then tortured, literally, to death. He was three days in the tomb, and his flesh had to have undergone some serious decomposition by then. Under Jewish law, it is required that the body be interred within twenty-four hours, presumably because of decay. So after the brutality of the crucifixion, he was three days along when he was resurrected. Gruesome yes, but to us exciting, because Jesus conquered not only death, but the ravages of the grave itself.
But what about us? Weren't we all spiritually dead until Christ answered our prayers and gave us new life we can actually feel? Resurrection? For certain! The number of resurrections Jesus has performed climbs by the moment. It is, in fact, exponential.
