“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
Do you believe in the resurrection and the life? Some do not believe in the resurrection, and some believe that it has already happened. Yes, it happened with Jesus, but there will come a time when believer’s will be caught up into heaven when Jesus comes again in the future. That has not happened yet. Christ resurrection from the cross is the power of God. That power he gave to men who are saved to do greater works. Jesus told Philip;
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12
Jesus is saying that we should be doing greater works, because He has gone to be with the Father. Yet, we as Christians would not even think about doing these greater works without some proof of credentials. To do the greater works requires faith. Faith in Jesus. Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of God and is our high priest. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Resurrection is coming back from death to life. It is revival from death. The Greek word is “anastasis,” which literally means to stand again. Jesus was standing on the right hand of God when Stephen was martyred in [Acts 7:55-60]. Standing to receive Stephen, and He will be standing to receive those who belong to Him.
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised. This is the victory Jesus gave us on the cross. I would have loved to witness the dead raised in the 19 Century under Smith Wigglesworth ministry. Through His faith in God, 14 people have been raised from the dead. Is this not greater works for the glory of God? Jesus raised Lazarus in John chapter 11, verses 38 to 43, so that those who witnessed it may see the glory of God and believe in Jesus. This is the power of God towards restoration of the whole body. Can we envision the resurrection of our own body? The body being changed, restored, revived for the glory of God.
Some say that the church has only believed for salvation and not for healing. But, through the cross, Jesus has provided complete healing for the body. Let’s look at Isaiah chapter 53, verse 3, the Berean Standard Bible translation.
“Surely, He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.”
If Jesus bore/took up our infirmities/sicknesses, why are we still carrying them? It is our unbelief that keeps us from seeing the truth of the resurrection of a restored body. We would rather believe that Jesus was struck down by God and afflicted than seeing him raised up from the grave victorious. “O death, where is thy sting?” How far would you travel to receive healing in your body? There have been many people who traveled across the country just to be healed from all kinds of sicknesses. I have watched Kathryn Kulman televised healing services and also have gone and witnessed people healed during the Benny Hinn healing crusades. It is not the individuals themself who receive the applause for doing great works, but the fact that God used them for His glory in order that people may believe and be healed in the name of Jesus.
It is the prayer of faith that people are saved and healed.
“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15
We must grow our faith and believe in the resurrection power of Jesus to be raised up out of our own sickness into a newness of life. Restored from death is to see the glory of God. To be called a child of God and to have communion with God. Listen to what the apostle Paul said to the Corinthians.
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 Corinthians 15:12-14
Our faith is not in vain when we place it in Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. The resurrection of Jesus from the cross gives us the victory over sin and death. Jesus paid the price on the cross for you and me. Listen to the story of the song titled “The Cross” recorded live at the Bread of Life Mission in Seattle, Washington.
The Cross
Jesus stood on trial before the people.
They accused him of sin and wanted him crucified.
Jesus did no wrong, he had no sin.
They let a criminal go, instead of Him.
Chorus
And the tears flowed down upon His face.
The tears of his love for you and me.
And the tears flowed down upon His Face.
The tears of his death for you and me.
For you and me [repeat 3 x]
He bored the Cross.
The crown of thorns was placed upon His head.
They mocked saying, "Hail the King of the Jews."
Jesus carried His cross burdened by its weight.
They nailed Him upon it with two other thieves.
Jesus cried, "Father forgive them,
They know not what they do."
People stood watching him upon the cross,
Not knowing the price, He paid to free their sins.
Written by Inge Schultz
© 1985
May you be blessed in the name of Jesus as you grow in faith to believe in doing greater works, for He is the resurrection and the life.
