Rise. It is a simple word a simple command. It is a verb; an. According to Merriam-Webster rise means to

Transcription

1 Rise. It is a simple word a simple command. It is a verb; an action word. According to Merriam-Webster rise means to assume an upright position especially from lying, kneeling, or sitting. Simple. When someone tells us to rise. We get up. In Luke s account of Christ raising the young man from the dead, he begins with the phrase I say to you. The command is directed to the young man, no one else. There is no mistaking Christ s intention when he speaks the singular word rise. Without hesitation the young man rises and begins to speak. The stories of people being raised from the dead are dramatic, amazing and sometimes a bit confusing. Here are the examples of resurrection: a. Elijah raises the son of Zarephath's widow from the dead in 1 Kings 17:21-22 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called to the LORD and said, O LORD my God, I pray You, let this child s life return to him. The LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived.

2 b. Elisha raises the Shunammite son in 2 Kings 4:33-35, And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm. Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes. c. An unidentified man is brought back to life by touching the bones of Elisha in 2 Kings 13:21. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man s body into Elisha s tomb. When the body touched Elisha s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. d. In today s Gospel scripture, Jesus resurrects the widow's son at Nain in Luke 7:13-15 (KJV), And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto

3 thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. e. In another instance, Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead in Matthew 9:25, But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. f. Perhaps the most well-known example of raising individuals from the dead is the story of Lazarus. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in John 11:43-44, And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, loose him, and let him go. g. A story easy to overlook occurs when Christ was crucified. In Matthew 27:52 it is written as Christ is crucified many departed saints were raised from their graves, The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

4 This text serves as a prelude to the promise of resurrection in Revelation. h. Of course, after his death and burial, Christ is resurrected. (Luke 24) i. After the Ascension, Peter beckons Tabitha to rise from the dead and she does. (Acts 9:36-43) j. Paul raises Eutychus from the dead after his fall from the third floor. (Acts 20:7-12) The sacred testimonies of faith contain ten direct stories of resurrection spanning both the Old and New Testament. From the miracles of Elijah and Elisha to those of Christ, the ultimate act of healing is present, but limited to a few individuals. It appears that raising people from the dead is possible and accepted as an outcome of faith. Though possible, it is not an expectation for those who possess the ability. It is not an expectation of the faithful. Other forms of healing, specifically, curing physical disease and emotional traumas are more often recorded. Even though more abundant in the scripture, healing is still a rare

5 occurrence. Not all people are healed and only a handful are resurrected. It is easy to look at miracle stories with a skeptical eye, especially stories of resurrection. Without proof of the medical conditions and scientific evidence, we are asked to accept these testimonies as facts. Though difficult, this is what we do. For us, they are not legends or myths, but a direct witness of the miracles performed through God and his son Jesus Christ. While pondering the concept of bodily resurrection I remember Christ gave his Disciples this charge, to Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, (and) cast out demons. (Matthew 10:8) In the mind of Jesus, healings of all types, resurrections and confronting and defeating demons were part of the Disciple s mandate. It was part of the job description. Christ holds an implicit faith that the Disciples, and you and me, will be successful in these endeavors as well. These stories also raise the idea of a metaphorical death. Many of us may never experience a miraculous healing or witness

6 the casting out of demons, but we will bear witness to the death of self and the rising of new life in Christ. This is what we claimed in our Baptism. This is what we remember during Communion. For the most part, the theme of a metaphorical death is a New Testament concept. The Hebrew Bible is rich with stories of great transitions. The Garden of Eden, the great flood and the Exodus story are a few. Though these stories can be viewed and understood as metaphors, they are not stories of individual death. Metaphorical death is a central concept used to express the transition from unbeliever to believer. Christ characterizes this transition in Luke 9:23-24, If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. In John 12:24 Christ says, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

7 Paul writes frequently about a personal resurrection, or renewal of the spirit, through faith. In Galatians 2:20 Paul writes, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. This central tenant of Paul s message will be shared with the Ephesians (4:22-24), Philippians (3:8) and the Romans, Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11). Christians, believers, are a new creation, made new through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Christ makes all things new. Again, and again, we are given this beautiful and affirming promise in scripture to help us live fully into this promise. Living fully and victoriously is where many get stuck. Many are afraid to be new. To go forward, one must let go of the old past. Timeworn patterns of living, old stinking thinking and dysfunctional behaviors must end. Literally, accepting the gift of a new life in Christ means that the old you must give way to the new creation.

8 Accepting the reality of a metaphorical death of self is not easy. This psychological gestalt experience shifts a person s world-view. The repetitive stories we tell about ourselves and lives must include new chapters. There is more to say. The stories of our new life in Christ now includes a co-author. This does not mean everything will be perfect. Though the traumas of our lives may not be healed; we are given a new framework for healing. Today, consider the word rise. Say the word. Listen for its meaning for you. Where is the Holy Spirit leading? Are you being called to make a public profession of faith? Are you being led to put aside the things of the past and reach out for a new life of service? Are you ready to be a new creation? Where is Christ challenging you to rise above the ordinary? I believe all Christians have areas for growth and improvement. God calls all us to rise above destructive behaviors and addictions. God calls all us to rise above mediocrity. We are believers in an extraordinary faith. We are believers in an incomparable, allpowerful God of love and mercy. We are believers in our risen

9 Savior Jesus Christ, our role-model, teacher and guide. We believe in the creative, and unrelenting power of the Holy Spirit. Why would we believe that our faith would be ordinary? Today, rise to a new life. Rise to the life God is leading you to live. Let go of the brokenness, sinfulness and fear; rise and walk into a new future. There are stories to be written, miracles to witness and God s life-giving mercy to proclaim. Amen.