Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke
Our last study point brought us to a discussion of resurrection between Jesus and the sister of the deceased. Martha was bemoaning the loss of her brother Lazarus, as did Mary (the other sister when she arrived to greet Jesus). Both sisters admitted that had Jesus arrived earlier Lazarus could have been healed and not died. Jesus then boldly proclaims that Lazarus would “rise again” (11:23). Both sisters were aware of the teaching of the resurrection, but maybe not in the way Jesus wanted them to understand.
He wanted them to know that He was the resurrection, without Him there would be no victory over death, but with Him we are victors already and possess eternal life.
The concept of resurrection was somewhat of a hot topic among the Jews. The Sadducees (one of the major sects of Judaism and those who mostly controlled the temple at Jerusalem) did not believe in a resurrection at all. Their political opponents, the Pharisees, did believe in a resurrection. The lack of a belief in a bodily resurrection, however, did not preclude the belief in the immortality of the soul, as many of the Jews accepted this truth. The real disagreement was whether or not a physical body was involved.
Jesus, however, declared clearly that there would be two resurrections of the body. The dead would hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear would live (John 5:25).
Two other verses clearly enunciate that both the good and the evil shall come forth from the grave. They that have done good shall come forth to life, and they that have done evil “unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28,29).
The truth of the resurrection was presented by our Lord following His own coming forth from the grave. He came in His body, not just as a spirit. Christ showed Himself to the disciples and invited them to touch Him as proof that He was not a spirit but had a body. He pointed out that He had flesh and bones, which spirits do not have (Luke 24:39,40).
My purpose in all this is to warn you that you will come forth from the grave (or wherever you are after your death) and face the Lord. They that have done good to life eternal, and they that have done evil to destruction. Science has shown us that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, only changed in form. No matter the form of death, nor the scattering of your body, God will bring your body together with your soul for judgment. Please do your best because you will answer for your life!