The Power of the Resurrection

John 20:6-9

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed - for until then they still hadn't understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

It was seeing the tomb and the linen wrappings that caused these two disciples to believe. We still have the empty tomb and even the Shroud of Turin to testify to the validity of these events.

Lord, I feel you nudging me to compare the resurrection of Lazarus to your resurrection.

Jesus' Resurrection	Lazarus' Resurrection
Purpose: Break the power of sin and death	Purpose: Bring glory to Jesus and prove he was God's Son
Left his grave clothes behind	Came out wrapped in his grave clothes
Raised himself from the dead	Was raised by Jesus
Became the first to rise from the dead. 1 Cor. 15:20; Rev. 1:5	Was one among many raised from the dead
Went to be with his Father	Eventually had to die again
Had his imperishable body	Still had his perishable body
Had been foretold by many Scriptures and Jesus himself	Jesus said that his sickness would not end in death John 11:4
Caused many to believe	Caused many to believe John 11:45

Jesus, I praise you for breaking the power of sin and death in my life! Like Lazarus, I can remove my grave clothes and put on the robes of righteousness. You have raised me from my spiritual death. My body will eventually die, but my soul will live forever! Lord, may the life I live in YOU cause many to believe. In Jesus' name, amen!

MEMORY VERSE

Isaiah 26:3-4

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4

Jesus, My Sacrifice

John 10:17-18

"The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."

There were a few times when the mobs tried to kill Jesus. At least once in this very chapter. But Jesus always slipped away - until it was the right time. Then Jesus could have called on legions of angels to protect him, but he didn't.

Matthew 26:53-54

"Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"

When Jesus was on trial before Pilate, he told Pilate that the only reason he had the power to kill him was because God was allowing it.

John 19:10-11

"Why don't you talk to me?" Pilate demanded, "Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?"

Then Jesus said, "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin."

Thank you, Jesus, for laying down your life for me! And thank you for not staying in that grave! You broke the power of sin and death over my life! I praise your holy name! In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:14-15

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Those desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

James 1:14-15

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

The Miracle of the Empty Tomb

Hosea 6:6

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 12:38-40

One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority." But Jesus replied, "Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights."

These religious leaders wanted Jesus to prove that he was the Messiah by performing a miracle for them. Jesus knew that even if he did it still wouldn't convince them. In fact they had already witnessed him perform many miracles. They wanted him to show them a special miracle that would convince them.

There was no miracle that would do that because their hearts were hard. That was shown when they said that Jesus cast out demons by the power of satan. They refused to see that the Holy Spirit was empowering Jesus and so blasphemed the Holy Spirit by denying his power. 

Jesus knew that the only miracle that could save anyone is the miracle of his resurrection.