Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 7:11-17, John 11:17-44
In Matthew 9, we encounter one of the strangest miracles recorded in the Gospels.
A religious leader sought Jesus for help. His daughter was near death, and he knew Jesus could heal her. “Come and lay your hand on her, and she will live,” he begged (v.18). Jesus immediately got up and went to the girl, healing a woman along the way. “Have courage, daughter,” He told the woman, then He continued on (v.22).
When Jesus arrived at the religious leader’s house, He made a startling pronouncement to the crowd that had gathered there: “The girl is not dead but asleep” (v.24). And do you know how that lamenting crowd responded? They laughed. We may chastise them in our heads, but can we blame them? The girl was dead, and this man arrived and proclaimed that, no, she wasn’t dead—just napping.
Then Jesus did what only He can do. He brought life from death. He went into the room, took the girl’s hand, and she got up. The one whose death the crowd was grieving stood up and walked out to greet them, alive as can be.
Miracles do not fit a formula. There is no incantation, no guarantee for the super faithful. The nature of miracles can be hard to understand on this side of eternity. But that’s okay, because the miracles themselves are not the point.
In John 11 we see Jesus raise His friend Lazarus from the dead. But before He does, He pauses for this brief exchange with Martha, Lazarus’ sister:
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (vv.23-25).
When I imagine Jesus speaking these words, I suspect He put an emphasis on the “I am” in verse 25. “I am the resurrection”—as if to pose a direct challenge to the notion that He was merely the means of resurrection, rather than the resurrection in the flesh. Jesus knew the temptation we face with miracles is to desire the gift more than the Giver (John 6:26-27). He was quick to make the distinction.
The Gospel accounts of Jesus conquering death seem like the ultimate of all miracles. But really, they were only a short-term (and yes, miraculous) solution to a long-term problem. The only source of real and lasting hope is not a miracle, but the Messiah.
“I am the resurrection,” Jesus said to Martha.
As glorious and dazzling as a miracle can be, it has only an ounce of the power and glory of the Savior.
This is the message behind all these earthly miracles we’ve studied: Jesus is better. Christ didn’t simply delay death a little while; He overcame it once and for all. Death has ultimately died. This we know to be true.
“Have courage, daughter.” In Christ, our hope remains.
Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mom of two boys. She is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and recently completed her Ph.D, which focused on cultivating the gifts of women in the church.
Noelle, how amazing that you so bravely shared your struggle here today. But also amazing, that this community has banded around you to encourage you and help you, to be the body of Christ to pull you from the lies and deception of the enemy, ultimately from death! Don’t overlook the wonderful work God is doing here, just as the devotional is titled, Christ conquered death. He’s doing it here for you today! Praise God! His ways are amazing. Keep being brave! He will work in your faith as you lean into Him and bring you from this dark place to a place of joy. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve been there. He is so faithful when you do as you’ve done and humbled yourself before Him. He will answer the begging we are all doing on your behalf today!
Noelle – I want to share with you hope. I too struggled with depression and wanted to end my life. But God, who is rich in love and mercy, walked me through that season of life in order to bring healing to much deeper wounds. I wanted to share with you the verse God gave me:
1 Peter 5:10-11
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
He acknowledge the suffering and the pain I was in. But he promised to restore me, make me strong, firm and steadfast. God himself moved and worked in my life and He has brought that healing in my life. Hold fast to him. He will work it all out. Don’t give up.
Your Sister in Christ,
Bonnie
Noelle- I know what it feels like to hit your lowest point. I too thought life was over for me about 3 years ago. But praise God that my spirit kept fighting; kept seeking God. When my flesh was week, the Holy Spirit that lives inside of me & you was stronger. He dug me out of that pit, that lowest point. He met me there, heard every prayer, wiped every tear (and there were many). He gave me a message of resurrection and now 3 years later he is making ALL things new! Everything that wasn’t working in that season he has completely changed & restored. I feel like I different person. I sometimes have a hard time accepting the beauty and blessings in my life now because it was so different before. It feels like I have to pinch myself because everything that I use to strive for has almost fallen on my lap because of his grace. He is a good good GOOD father. His ways are not our ways but take courage and hold onto him because when the night is over, day will come. It is so sweet to trust in Jesus.
Dear Noelle,
Right now look how many people are linking arms WITH you in what you feel like is your battle alone. You are beloved and chosen, a daughter of the King! Your life is precious and no matter what you’ve done, God LOVES you with an unending, extravagant love. NOTHING can separate you from that love. Nothing. Not satan and his plans and schemes. Not your feelings. Believe this today, dear one, you are important. You have a part to play. You are not alone, unseen, too far gone. God is love. And his love reaches to the very depths. You are made in the image of Jesus. You carry his likeness. Don’t deprive the world of that piece of Jesus. No one else is you. No one else carries what God has placed in you. Your life is important. You matter to those around you and to those you’re destined to touch in the future. Be encouraged.
As a daughter of the King with the authority that he has given me, I command you to be silent, satan! Take your hands off this daughter. She is covered by the blood, made new and your claims have been nullified by the work of Christ on the cross. I thank you, God for this life and for what you are going to do through her. I thank you God that even now you are holding Noelle, whispering words of love to her heart. Open the eyes of her heart, Lord! Let her hear your words resonate in and through her entire being as this day goes. Pour over her your oil of joy, give her the garment of praise INSTEAD OF the spirit of heaviness. In fact, I just break the spirit of heaviness off of your life now, in the name of Jesus!
Turn on some worship music and when those thoughts come rebuke them in the name of Jesus. He’s given us the power to take every thought captive in obedience to him. Even if all you can do is whisper no! speak truth aloud over yourself even if it feels like a complete lie. Feelings aren’t truth. Truth is. And Gods truth over you is that you are enough. You are his beloved. You are the one he was thinking of as he went to the cross. The you you are right now. And he didn’t think, we’ll shoot, she’s such a mess, I suppose I’ll go. No! He counted you joy! Exactly as you are now. He saw, he sees, and he has always loved.
I am just listening to this for the first one right now. I felt like I needed to post the link for you, Noelle. It’s a free download til the end of April. I’m only at #3 but it’s GOOD. https://www.brilliantbookhouse.com/blogs/all/a-different-way-to-worship-a-look-at-prophetic-healing
Noelle, I am so glad to come back and read all the comments! I have been Praying for you all morning. Please know that You are so loved, by this SRT community and most of all by our sweet Savior.
I want to commend you and Thank you for reaching out. Please, regardless of how dark and low you feel, NEVER isolate yourself! Reach out to either friends, family, your church family, this community, or professional help. Because one of the strategies of the enemy of your soul is try to isolate you, and make you feel lonely to feed u lies and destroy you. Please know that you are NOT alone, we are backing you up in the spirit. You are soooooo loved!
Noelle, I just prayed for you right now. I’m getting to ready to clock in for work in three minutes. And just read this. You are Jesus’ special girl! I’ll be praying for you throughout the day. And every day.
This study has had a profound effect on me……I have been praying for a miracle for my husband for awhile now and if I am honest I have to tell you I have been looking more for a miracle than I have the Miracle Maker, Jesus! Yesterday we received word that upon approval of our insurance my husband will receive a lung transplant. This study has helped me to see and seek Jesus, not a miracle because He Is The Miracle!
Yay! That’s awesome. God answers prayers!
That’s awesome news! Praying for you and your husband.
Noelle, you are loved!!!!! By all of these women here and most of all, you are loved by God!! Whenever I’ve gotten in a dark place, I know it can feel like you’re sinking in a black hole. But I have learned that God is in the business of making broken things beautiful. We are never too far gone. Even now, God is chasing after us, calling us back to Him in repentance. He wants us to hand over ALL of us into His hands. Every doubt, every fear, every burden, every sin, every thought. He is with you, Jesus died for you so that you may have a life of joy and peace, in Him. Please don’t give in to Satan’s shouting voice. God is with you right now, holding out His hand. Run back to Him!! Praying for you from Northern VA ❤