Dead

Saturday was silent. The One who promised them life was dead. The One who spoke of saving others could not even save himself. How would he prepare those promised heavenly mansions when his body lay in a cold, dark tomb?

All of us have something in common with Velma Thomas. We were dead. We were dead in our sins. There was no sign of spiritual brain activity. We were helpless, hopeless. But then God came to our spiritual bedside. Here’s how Paul describes it.

You may have many great accomplishments on your resume—an outstanding athlete, a dazzling performer, an accomplished musician, a graduate of a highly respected educational institution, a leader of this or that, a native of Oklahoma (jealous, aren’t you)—but when it comes to your spiritual resume before Christ, forget the bullet points, italics, and pithy descriptions. One four-letter word is centered on the page— “DEAD!”

Come out! Those are the words Jesus spoke to a man who was dead. Here’s the account in John 11:43.

God is not only our King; he alone is supreme, the “blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Jesus paid sin’s penalty in full and offers a free pardon. He breathes life into our spiritually dead souls and makes us fit for heaven. In Christ, we are made alive.

How could a man who raised the dead…die? Confusion filled their hearts. Saturday was silent.

He gives us the invitation to help others take off their grave clothes of guilt, unworthiness, legalism, pride, and baggage of the past—what a tremendous privilege. Jesus raises the dead and then lets us set the new believer free!

Our eternal spirits will join our resurrected bodies and meet the Lord in the air to be with him forever! Each of us will have our “Lazarus” moment.