Why Jesus Raised the Dead: One Year Bible Reading for February 21

 Today we read from the One Year Bible in the following passages:

Leviticus 11:1-12:8
Mark 5:21-43
Psalm 38:1-22
Proverbs 10:8-9

Let's look at Mark 5. Jesus raises someone from the dead. Now, there's the obvious reason that He did it - He cared about the people who were suffering and so He alleviated that suffering. But that person then went on to die again, right? So, big picture, what was the point?

Well, I'm glad you asked. There are a few! First, all of the miracles that Jesus performed were "Proclaiming the Kingdom of God". Jesus was transforming the world. He was starting the church. He was teaching everyone all over the world to be good, to be kind, to love one another. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, He was teaching all of us that if we follow Him, we will live forever in heaven with Him. And to show us that what He was teaching was true, He performed miracles. The miracles taught us that we can trust Him.

Two is contained in that last part - that we'll live forever. So He first showed us that He has power over death by bringing people back to life. Lazarus, Jairus's daughter, etc. He showed He could bring anyone back to life. THEN, He Himself came back to life after dying. All of this was to teach us that when we follow Jesus, death is not the end. We will die, we will be buried.... and then we will rise again. His miracles teach us that this is true and we can have faith in Him.

God, thanks for Your miracles that taught us Your power over death.