During the time of Jesus, many were looking expectantly for someone to rescue them out of their earthly existence. Despite the struggles of living, they desperately wanted divine deliverance from their situation. Many began following the teachings of Jesus, especially His prophecies and predictions for the life to come. This became the blessed hope of those who believed His message and obeyed His words. Yet in these present times, this hope has begun to fade.

 

There was a time when Jesus also faced this reality – when all hope seemed loss. Having arrived late at a friend’s home, He saw that one of his loved ones had passed away, and that those who had gathered were beginning to question His loyalty. The sister of the deceased came to Jesus and said, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died”. Jesus began to tell her about the reality of resurrection; that her brother would not remain dead, but would be made alive again. He said to her “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

 

By saying this to her, He was able to both comfort and console her, and  yet,  reminded her that the resurrection was not simply a future event, but also, a present reality. The resurrection that Jesus was talking about begins with those beyond restoration.

 

Instead of simply raising people from the dead, Jesus transforms the lives of people so that they no longer fear death, but look forward to complete resurrection of both body and soul. As Jesus showed this by His resurrection from the dead, the followers of Jesus who believe that He can redeem those whose lives seem destroyed, who seem to be lifeless in their circumstances, who seem to have no hope for living; and can make them live again by His resurrection power that brings new life and reason for existence Living with renewed purpose and hope, the followers of Jesus have the ability to inspire others to a resurrected life that only He can give; not just in this world, but in the life to come.