All The Resurrections of the Bible
…Almost
This sermon will not be about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This sermon will not be about the resurrections of the saints of Jerusalem at the death of Jesus.
This sermon will not be about the future resurrections from the dead.
The Son Of A Widow
1 Kings 17:17-24 -- The widow who cared for Elijah, by God's instruction, lost her only son to sickness. The age of the boy is unknown. Her morning caused her to question Elijah as a man of God. Elijah raised him from the dead.
Luke 7:11-17 -- The unknown widow at Nain lost her only son, who was likely a young adult providing for his mother's financial needs.
The conclusion of each:
A living son!
A recognized Prophet -- 1 Kings 17:24, Luke 7:16.
The Reward of a Faithful Servant
2 Kings 4:8-37 -- A Shunamite woman is faithful to take care of Elisha. In turn, Elisha promises her a child, that child later dies, and is resurrected by God through Elisha.
Acts 9:36-42 - Dorcas was a woman of good works (v. 36). When she died, they sent for Peter, whose prayer was answered with resurrection.
Similarities in each:
The man of God is sent for.
The testimony of good deeds for the mother and for Dorcas.
A Grown Man Solidly Dead
2 Kings 13:20-21 -- After the death of Elisha, Moabite invaders brought havoc into the land. When the grave-diggers saw a band of Moabites, they were frightened and threw the body into the grave of Elisha, and the man immediately revived.
John 11:11-46 -- Jesus at first spoke in euphemism, then very plainly that Lazarus was dead. With the call of the Lord, Lazarus came forth.
Similarities in each:
The miracle worker was absent when the crisis came.
Both men were dead and in a grave.
…What About The Others?
Jairus' daughter - Mark 5:35-42
A textual argument always beats an interpretive argument. In this case, the words of Jesus give the textual argument: the damsel is not dead (v. 39).
Other textual clues:
There are two Greek words for sleeping. The one used here is never used of anything other than physical sleep. The other one is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (and on several other occasions as a euphemism to death).
The word arise is sometimes used of resurrection (Mt. 27:36), but“get up" (Mt. 2:13).
Eutychus -- Acts 20:8-12
The young man was taken up dead.
“he was dead."
John 10:24 uses the same term as a figure of speech (make us to doubt).
Paul believed his life is in him (v. 10).
Paul Stoned in Iconium -- Acts 14:19-20
The words supposing he had been dead are the key.
Verse 20 doesn't give any indication he was actually dead.
Some Closing Lessons
Contrary to what some may believe, resurrection has never been common among God's faithful.
Because we were designed with eternity in mind, all of us will someday be raised again. Daniel 12:1-2.
The concept of resurrection has been the hope of the ages and the continual trust of the faithful.
Genesis 22:5 with Hebrews 11:19
Job 19:25-26
Isaiah 26:19
Hosea 13:14
Psalm 16:9-10
