He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8 ESV
I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?… Hosea 13:14 ESV
The Hebrew people believed that God alone had power over both life and death.
Jesus says He not only has the power to do what God alone can do, but that He IS LIFE! And then, He shows them. “Lazarus come out!” (John 11:38-44)
PERSONAL REFLECTION:
How do you respond to Jesus’ declaration? Do you see spiritual implications of physical signs in your own life? How has God breathed into seemingly dead or dormant places in your own life/dreams/plans/relationships? Do you believe that He is big enough to conquer death? Do you walk in victory, trusting that death isn’t bigger than God?
Psalms 16:8-11, 49:15, 116:8-9; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 11:25; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 26, 54-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16; Revelation 21:4