Lazarus
One of the most iconic figures in the Bible whose literal resurrection from the dead is recorded, is Lazarus. According to the story found in the Gospel of John, Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus of Nazareth and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. When Martha and Mary heard of their brother’s failing health, they contacted Jesus, who answered their desperate plea for help. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he found that Lazarus had already died and had been entombed four days prior. Those present were grief-stricken and wanted to know why Jesus had not come earlier.
The scene in the fifth chapter of John’s Gospel has since confused many theologians and readers alike. Jesus knew of Lazarus’ death, but appeared to take his time in responding to the sisters’ distress call. Yet, once Jesus was told of the situation, the story reports that he went to the tomb and commanded that those waiting there to “remove the stone”. With the stone now removed, Jesus called out “Lazarus, come out” and from the tomb, Lazarus came out, alive and well, wrapped in cloths.
Many have made the observation that Jesus displayed great power in raising Lazarus from the dead. He was the only one who could have done it and the miracle has been passionately and ecstatically celebrated in literature and artistic works such as painting and poetry for centuries. The fact that Jesus, who was God in human flesh, was able to bring a dead man back to life, speaks to the integrity of his character, his capability, and his willingness to defy the spiritual powers of darkness.
The scene of Jesus and Lazarus is also, according to some Bible commentators, a representation of the Church rising. Jesus said that he was “the resurrection and the life” and by him bestowing life upon Lazarus, it showed the ultimate victory over death. It was not only such a powerful testimony of Jesus’ ultimate authority and absolute power, but it was also an example of what it means to be revived in Jesus Christ. Those who trust in the Lord will be clothed with a resurrection like Lazarus, who swapped out his grave garments for garments of everlasting love and joy.
Daughter of Jairus
In the New Testament, there is another story of resurrection which is recorded in the book of Mark. This account tells of a leader within the synagogue named Jairus and his 12 year-old daughter whom Jesus restored to life. According to the account, Jairus approached Jesus asking for his daughter to be healed, for she was seriously ill. In response, Jesus then went to Jairus’ house to restore his daughter who, by the time of Jesus’ arrival, had already died.
Jesus however, did not see the daughter’s death as an obstruction; he told Jairus that she would be restored: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” With this statement, Jesus showed respect for life and encouraged Jairus to keep the faith. As Jesus entered the girl’s room, he “took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’)”. Immediately she got up and after her revival, Jesus sternly instructed that no one should know of the miracle, for he wanted to prevent further admiration for his supernatural powers.
This story of Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead demonstrates Jesus’ love for children and his strong belief in his own authority over death. In addition, this miracle displays the importance of having faith, for without faith one cannot receive from God and could most certainly not be resurrected from death. Jesus is the only hope for life after death, and although he believes that with faith all things are possible, change and hope come only through submission to him.
Eutychus
In the book of Acts, there is a story of a young man named Eutychus who was raised from the dead. When the apostle Paul began his long discourse, the audience of believers was very attentive. However, after a few hours of listening to Paul’s preaching, Eutychus become fatigued from sitting in the same spot for such a lengthy period of time, so he nodded off and unfortunately fell from the third story window in which he was listening from. Knowing that this young man had died, the crowd became greatly distressed and the beloved Paul, so full of faith and love, prayed earnestly to God and embraced Eutychus’ dead body.
In response to Paul’s faith-filled prayer, God restored life back to the young man. Through the miracle of resurrection, Eutychus’ life was spared, allowing him to testify to future generations what Jesus had done. The miracle of Eutychus’ resurrection conveys Jesus’ power to transcend life and death. Paul’s faith, as well as God’s graces, brought joy to those present when the dead man was brought to life in such an incredible display of grace and love.
The story of Eutychus in the Bible paints the image of an enduring faith, which appears to be a hallmark of Paul’s life and ministry. His relationship with God was so strong that he put his beliefs and faith first and chose to take a risk with eternal consequences in order to deepen the faith of those living then, and going forward now. Like Martha, Mary, Jairus and Eutychus, Paul’s life displays a real need to trust in the power of an almighty God and to have faith in Him.
The Widow’s Son
In the fourth chapter of the book of Luke, Jesus performs an astounding miracle. This miracle was a unique one in that it was done at a distance: Jesus did not even have to be present for it to happen. The story recounts a short exchange between Jesus and an aggrieved mother. At the funeral of her son, the widow begged Jesus to bring her son back to life. Jesus looked at the widow sympathetically and simply said: “Do not cry.” Jesus then told the dead man to get up and the miracle happened.
The miracle of the widow’s son is made even more remarkable by the fact that it was done at a distance. Jesus seemed to know what was about to happen, as he had faith in God’s power to resurrect the widow’s son before it even happened. By having faith and trusting in God, Jesus was able to bring a dead man back to life. This event is a testament to the fact that even in difficult circumstances, one must not lose hope in seeing God move and perform a miracle.
The story of this widow’s son shows the compassion, mercy, love and power that God so freely gives when we ask Him. It demonstrates Jesus’ unfathomable mercy and willingness to go to any length to show it. This is a real-life example of Jesus’ power working through faith and prayer to not only bring life but to also provide comfort and hope to those in need.
The Centurion’s Servant
The New Testament also records a miracle where Jesus brought a dead man back to life. This miracle took place when Jesus was in the home of a centurion. At the home of the centurion, Jesus was asked to heal his servant from a distance because the centurion knew that Jesus need not even enter into his home to grant healing. The man was so sure of Jesus’ power and faith that he believed it sufficient for the miracle to take place remotely.
Just after Jesus praised the man’s faith, the centurion’s servant was healed. This was a case of Jesus not just restoring life to a dead man, but doing so with the confidence in faith and assurance that it would happen. This story is significant in the Bible because it powerfully illustrates the importance of having faith in Christ. This miraculous event was an figure of Jesus’ love and parental-like care for all people. It also signifies Jesus’ grace and the compassion He showed to those in need throughout his ministry.
The story of the Centurion’s servant being raised from the dead is a reminder that God delights in faith and trust in Him. Jesus crafts His miracles on trust, as He desires believers to surrender to Him and to remain in perpetual worship so that they may receive from Him. Even from a distance, Jesus can perform great miracles and when we express Faith and trust in Him, He will answer our requests.
Tabitha
Tabitha is one of the Bible’s most important female figures who was raised from the dead and her story is beautifully retold in the book of Acts. According to the biblical records, Tabitha was a charitable woman, who had already passed away by the time Peter arrived in Lydda. After the widow had sobbed of her sadness and distress and showed Peter her late daughter’s garments, Peter ordered the bereaved to leave him and the dead woman alone. He then knelt down, prayed, and said: “Tabitha, get up.”
When Tabitha did return to life, it was then understood by all present that Jesus was indeed the Resurrection and the Life. This miracle of Tabitha’s resurrection was extraordinary, for unlike the previous incidents, Peter was not even in the presence of Jesus. This miracle dramatically re-traces the origin of Jesus’ power and authority. The miracle also underscores the importance of caring for others and to always be ready to answer a call to love.
Tabitha’s resurrection story is an act of grace and an affirmation of God’s power. In essence, it serves as a model of how God works in the lives of His people and how He desires individuals to rely on Him. The story of Tabitha demonstrates how even the darkest sadness can be conquered by Jesus and that He can truly conquer death and grant us new life.
Son Of The Shunamite Woman
In another instance in the Bible where a dead man is restored to life, we have the story of the Shunamite woman’s son. This is an often overlooked story located in the second book of Kings. It begins when the Shunamite woman calls out in distress to the prophet Elisha. The personal touch emphasized in this story creates a true depth of the sorrow of the mother. The woman’s son dies and she expresses her pain to the prophet, not asking for any change, but for acceptance for her loss.
The Prophet however, quickly senses the mother’s request, and rather than simply accepting her sorrow, he decides to act in response. He then travels to the woman’s house, where upon arriving, he asks to be taken to the boy’s room where he then lays upon the boy’s cold body. And miracles do happen, for the boy resurrects to life under Elisha’s presence.
This miraculous event proves to be the evidence of God’s immense
