Seeing  the Resurrection and the Life With Childlike Faith

I am of a certain age (some would say old) where, as a child, one of the most exciting times of the year—which is fast approaching—was when the Sears Wish Book (otherwise know as the Christmas catalog)  was delivered to our mailbox.  This would begin hours and hours, and hours,  of flipping through the pages, marking the things that we were wishing for, dreaming that it could be possible, yet not quite having faith that we would receive a fraction of the many items we longed for. 

Oh my goodness! The day dreams that were conceived by flipping through the pages of that catalog could probably fill volumes.  The innocence of those dreams was sweet, childlike faith. I think, as adults, we complicate faith sometimes. I believe that Jesus wants us to come to Him, and to believe in Him with childlike, unwavering faith.

Part of the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is shared in John 11:24-26.  When Martha meets Jesus she tells Him that she knew her brother would not have died if He had only been there. She had that much faith.  Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise again. She told Jesus that she knows/believes that Lazarus will rise again at the resurrection, when everyone else will rise. 

Jesus was standing there beside Mary, physically, in person, telling her that He (Jesus) is the source of all life—including resurrected life.  He told her that if people would believe this, even if they died, they would still live. I’m thinking, at that point in time, that might have been a lot to accept with childlike faith. 

Jesus also told Martha that anyone living that believes in Him would never die. If you think about what it took to believe that in human terms, you have to consider the fact that her brother believed, yet he died. Ah, but Jesus was not talking about physical death.  He then asked her the key question, “Do you believe that anyone living who believes in Me will never die?” 

In verse 27, she answered Him that yes, she believes He is the Christ, the Son of God, that was supposed to come into the world. But, with just watching her brother die a physical death, believing what Jesus said here took a kind of childlike faith.

Jesus’ message was simple: He is life completed.  The thing He requires to access Life, even through death, is belief in Him. This is Faith. 

The challenge, for us, is to not only believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, but to believe it enough that we are compelled to bring others to that same Truth. We have to be out there sharing that Truth for others to hear and be compelled. 

Applying this scripture to our lives would mean staying in God’s Word and putting His truth into our hearts so that there is no shadow of doubt, what ever life situations we face, even if it be death, that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. The Life Application Bible Study Notes shares, “When we realize the power and the wonder of His offer to us, how can we not commit our lives to Him? To those who believe, what wonderful assurance and certainty we have…”

Childlike faith, what a gift!

Lord, Jesus, I thank You for Your Truth, that You are the source of Life and that even through death I will have life everlasting. I cannot imagine doing life without You. Help me look toward You as the Resurrection and the Life with childlike faith. 

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“24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11:24-26 (KJV) 

“But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11 (KJV)

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV)

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”  1 John 5:11,12 (KJV)

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What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Can you come up with a child like faith to believe? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

 Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net

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