Resurrection: A Universal Experience

ALL – Psalm 118:1-18
ALL – Proverbs 15:24-26
OT – 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13
NT – John 11:54-12:19

Interesting passage for the day: When the ordinary people of Jerusalem heard of his arrival, they clocked to see him and also to see Lazarus—the man who had come back to life again. – John 12:9, The Living Bible

Thought: Jesus didn’t just raise Himself from the dead. Before Jesus raised Himself, He raised Lazarus. And people flocked to see Lazarus. Rising from the dead is no ordinary thing in today’s world, and it wasn’t usual in Jesus’ day, either.

But here’s the thing: resurrection is going universal. When? I’m not sure of the exact date and time, but whenever Jesus returns, all the dead will be raised to live forever. Unlike Lazarus, who was merely raised to extend an earthly life, when Jesus returns we’ll all be raised to live forever. Those who trust and follow Jesus will be raised to really live—to be with Jesus and praise Him and do His work in the new heavens and the new earth. And those who do not trust and follow Jesus will be raised to really die—not just to stop being with people physically, but to be aware forever that they rejected the Son of God and are suffering eternally for it. Jesus, the Son of God, will one day raise all the dead, and what was once seen as uncommon will be the experience of us all.

Question: Which way will you experience the resurrection? Will it lead you into real life, or real death?

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