April, 1999

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.

Jesus spoke these words to Martha before he raised Lazarus from the dead. I don’t think Martha understood what he meant when he said them. She acknowledged that Lazarus would be raised at the end of time, but she never expected that Lazarus would be raised from the dead that day. As we reflect on the resurrection of Christ this Easter season, it is good to consider what kind of resurrection we are promised.

Many of us are like Martha. We believe that Christ died for us and has promised us a resurrection, but we think it’s some far distant experience in the future. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead that day demonstrating Christ’s power over life not only in the distant future, but also in the everyday present.

Jesus suffered and died on the cross that we might be saved. And he rose from the dead that we might have new life. That new life is not only for us when we reach heaven’s gates. That new life is for us today. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become a new creation. Our old ways of looking at things become transformed by the renewing power of Christ.

Lazarus was lying in a dark tomb, bound by grave clothes, and was lifeless. But one word from Jesus and he became alive and emerged from the darkness. Many Christians act like they are Lazarus. They are bound by troubles and trapped in darkness. They cannot see any light in their life. They are listless and lifeless.

We need to remember that on that Easter Sunday, Jesus broke the bondage of sin in our life. He too was lying in darkness, bound by grave clothes, and was lifeless. But in a moment a stirring occurred in that sealed tomb and Jesus arose. As he walked out of that tomb, it signaled the end of sin’s reign in the lives of believers. His resurrection is the reason we can become spiritually new.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, we may rise from the deadness of our sins, from the bondage of our burdens, and from the clouds of our darkness. Because Jesus lives, we can live also. Have you experienced a resurrection in your soul? Have you asked Christ to transform you into a new creation? Allow Jesus to bring you out of the darkness of the tomb you are in. This Easter season would be a wonderful time to be set free!

Dave