Four Types of Resurrections
October 28, 2019
Commentary
Jesus defended His actions pointing out that He was only imitating His Father (v. 19). God’s sustaining work on the world has never ceased nor will it (vv. 20-23). Lack of understanding was not the problem. The Jews understood perfectly that Jesus was claiming equality with God. They rejected Him because of these claims. The religious leaders changed their charge against Jesus from “breaking the Sabbath” to “blasphemy” because Jesus claimed to be God. Liberal theologians who claim that Jesus never claimed to be God skip over these passages. Instead of denying the accusation, Jesus endorsed them. He claimed to have the power to raise the dead. They Jewish leaders saw this as blasphemy. At this time, Jesus had not yet raised anyone from the dead. Jesus speaks about four different resurrections:
1. The resurrection of lost sinners (vv. 24-25). The lost sinners is as lifeless as a corpse. The only way he can be raised from the dead is by hearing God’s Word and believing on God’s Son.
2. His own resurrection (v. 26). The grave could not hold Him because he is “The Prince of Life” (Acts 2:24). Because of this He can share life with all who will trust Him.
3. The future resurrection of the just (vv. 28-29a). This is when believers will be raised from the dead. This will take place when Jesus returns in the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
4. The resurrection of the unjust (v. 29b). This is when the wicked dead will stand before the Great White Throne for judgment. This will take place just before Christ ushers in the new heaven and the new earth.
The most important thing about this life is that it determines where we will spend eternity. Just knowing about Jesus in your head is not enough. We must receive Jesus into our heart (John 1:12).
Application
There are several groups today who don’t believe in the deity of Christ. I need to have verses of Scripture in mind that will show a person that Jesus and God are equal. Lord, help me to be able to commit these to memory.
John 5:19– 29 (NET)
19 So Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 Furthermore, the Father does not judge anyone, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
24 “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the solemn truth, a time is coming—and is now here—when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, thus he has granted the Son to have life in himself, 27 and he has granted the Son authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and will come out—the ones who have done what is good to the resurrection resulting in life, and the ones who have done what is evil to the resurrection resulting in condemnation.
Illustration: No Funeral Sermons in the Bible
As a young man, D. L. Moody was suddenly called upon to preach a funeral sermon. He hunted all through the Four Gospels trying to find one of Christ’s funeral sermons, but searched in vain. He found that Christ broke up every funeral He ever attended. Death could not exist where He was. When the dead heard His voice, they sprang to life. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #10514).