What helps you believe in Jesus’ power?

After reading about the Resurrection of Jairus’s daughter in today’s key Scriptures, list some details that stood out to you.

The Scriptures record nine resurrection miracles – three in the Old Testament and six in the New Testament, of which Jesus performed four. These remarkable stories are emphasized this week because it’s probable that they influenced the way the followers of Jesus interpreted the Easter event. From our point of view, privileged with hindsight, we may see these miraculous resurrections as a foreshadowing of the Resurrection of Jesus and the future Resurrection of His followers. But from the point of view of those who encountered the risen Jesus – with no well-established, uniform belief about resurrection before – the miraculous resurrections likely defined aspects of Jesus’ Resurrection. It’s not a coincidence that the same language is used about those Jesus raised up as is used about His Resurrection.

Why do you suppose Scripture focuses on resurrection miracles?

The first Easter weekend is a historical event when, on the third day after Jesus’ Crucifixion, death was transformed into victory. Further, Jesus demonstrated His Resurrection power in that, while others were reportedly raised only to die again, Jesus was raised immortally. Jesus authorized His disciples to preach the good news of the reign of God and, among other things, to “raise the dead” (Matthew 10:8).

In addition, the Gospels narrate three specific stories of people raised from the dead by Jesus. In one story, Jairus, the ruler of a synagogue, came to Jesus to ask Him to heal his daughter. She died moments before Jesus arrived (Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56). The story’s details may suggest firsthand eyewitness testimony, from the desperation of the father and the sad report that reached Him – “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher anymore?” (Mark 5:35) – to the mocking laughter in response to Jesus’ words – “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep” (v. 39).

The details included point to eyewitness accounts. For example, the Aramaic words Jesus spoke to restore the girl: “Talitha, koum” (which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you get up”) (v. 41). The appearance of the name Jairus, along with his identification with respect to the local synagogue (probably the one at Capernaum), points to the memory of this miraculous and specific episode in the ministry of Jesus.

What is the purpose of Jesus’ demonstrating His power to raise the dead?

How do the miracles of Jesus shape our understanding of God, and how does He intervene in our lives?

If we aren’t careful, we may be tempted to read the New Testament records as another story or myth – like those found in novels or other religions. Still, the specificity of the New Testament accounts is intentional. They are historical events that happened in a particular place and time. Across the Gospels, the witnesses recorded Jesus’ miraculous power to heal the sick, control the natural world, forgive sins, and raise the dead. One of the reasons we can trust that Jesus rose from the dead is that He demonstrated the power to raise the dead. He laid down His life to take it up again (John 10:18). He alone is the Master of life and death.