Christ Conquers Death
Open Your Bible
Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 7:11-17, John 11:17-44
BY Guest Writer
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.
114 thoughts on "Christ Conquers Death"
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Noelle, if you’re still checking this, I went back to your original post, and I want to tell you that Jesus loves all of you, the emotional mess, the mental crazy, the physical pains, the spiritual lack. He loves all of you, wherever you are and however you are. I say this because I was convicted recently of all of the above, and he reminded me ever so sweetly that He is mine and I am His. Be comforted sister, we are standing with you. Praying for you from China!
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“The only source of real and lasting hope is not a miracle, but the Messiah.”
This study is just what I needed. My 16 y/o son has been battling cancer for the past 18+ months. We do not know if Luke’s cancer will be eradicated here on earth, and he will live many more years, or if God will choose to heal the cancer through Luke’s earthly death. I have felt that maybe I lacked faith because my belief is that God certainly is able to heal Luke’s cancer miraculously in this life, but I don’t know if that is His plan. But several of the people who asked Jesus for healing would say, “If you are willing…” – and this is what I will continue to ask Jesus.But one thing I fall back on when this battle is grueling and seems hopeless, is that my hope is in Jesus’s redemptive work – that Luke will ultimately be healed and whole in Heaven, and we will spend eternity with Him. It is a challenge for my finite, earthly, emotional mind to cling to this and have hope. But that is what I strive for – Hope in Jesus, day to day.
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Thanks for sharing! Wow! When I hear whqr other women are enduring it puts things into perspective for me. There is nothing more devastating than a hurting child and I don’t know how people go through that without knowing Jesus and the Hope of eternity. I will pray for your son every moment he comes to mind. We know God will sustain you in every moment and His arms are big enough to hold you when you are too weak to hold yourself! Praying for God given strength and peace through the hurt of “why?” Praying for you.
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Such a good and timely reminder!! Thank you for sharing!
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The only source of real and lasting hope is not a miracle, but the Messiah.
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Dear Noelle,
You are loved. You are loved by our Savior and you are loved by the women who are part of this SRT community. I know what it feels like to be in a place that feels dark and without hope. Lean into Jesus right now. I know that when we feel like we’re at our darkest, grace seems impossible for us. But I’ve learned that this is the greatest lie Satan uses to try to keep us from God. If you look throughout Scripture, Jesus is constantly showing compassion and bringing salvation to those the world considers “the least of these”. He doesn’t give up on people, even when they sin. He always draws His children back with love and faithfulness. You are loved. No matter what you’ve done or how far you feel you’ve wandered. Christ’s love for us is constant and overflowing in all things. Praying for you today.-
❤️
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Help me, Lord, to desire the Giver more than the gift. Just give me Jesus. Amen.
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Noelle… Oh I’m hurtingvfor you… the day has gone by and I am just finding your post…Praying for you sweet sister.. I echo every comment..
You are absolutely loved.. here and most especially by The One who sees You, knows You, and died for you to have life and to the full …Lean on Him. Trust Him.. He is made strong in your weakness..
Have courage Sister…
I will continue to lift you up in the coming days… Sending love wrapped hugs to you from across the pond…xxx
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