Jesus interrupted a funeral procession, touched the litter, and said: " 'Young man, I bid you get up.' The dead man sat up" (Lk 7:14-15). He also raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:43ff). Moreover, He promised we would do greater by far than He (Jn 14:12), and commanded us to "raise the dead" (Mt 10:8). Peter likewise raised the dead (Acts 9:40). Even Elijah and Elisha in the old covenant could raise the dead (1 Kgs 17:22; 2 Kgs 4:32ff; 13:21).
Modern Christians try to explain away the obvious Biblical teaching that followers of Jesus are to raise the dead. Although not everything in the Bible is intended to be taken literally, we have no indication in the Biblical text that references to raising the dead should be taken any other way. Those who have tried to raise the dead after discerning this to be the will of God have found that Jesus keeps His promises to give us power to fulfill His commands. However, most Christians have not had the faith to give it a try.
His "grace is sufficient," even to raise the dead. Trust Him.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I not change the Bible to fit my limitations but change my life to fit the Bible's expectations. |
| PROMISE: | "The gospel I proclaimed to you is no mere human invention. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I schooled in it. It came by revelation from Jesus Christ." –Gal 1:11-12 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Whose grace is sufficient to help us carry the crosses of our lives! "Sing praise to the Lord, you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy name" (Ps 30:5). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College