Devotions - Monday, March 10

I would like to call your attention this morning to three Bible stories. What I would ask is that you consider the difference between the first two and the third.

First, is the story in I Kings 17:17-24. Elijah has been staying with the the widow of Zarephath. Elijah had encountered her as she was using up the last of her food to fix a meal for her herself and her son. Elijah told her to fix him a meal first, and that the food supply would never be exhausted. This proves to be true. But after he has been with her for a while, the son dies. The woman cries out against Elijah and his God. Elijah goes in to the boy, stretches his body over the body of the boy, and the boy's life returns.

Second is the story in Acts 20:7-12. Paul is about to leave Troas. Wanting as much time as possible to hear his teachings, they are gathered in a room on the top floor. It is late at night. One young man is sitting in the window. He falls asleep, and falls out the window. They are three stories high. They go out to him, and he is dead. Paul comes to the boy and takes him in his arms. The boy comes back to life.

The conclusion of each of the Gospels is my third story. In each, Jesus is dead, but then he lives. He was in the tomb, but he rises.

My teacher at the Seminary insisted that only this last story be referred to as a "Resurrection." That using that term for the earlier stories suggests that they are on the same plan as the latter. Only when Jesus dies and rises is there a change, a permanent change, in the one who was dead but now lives.

We do not participate in what happen to the widow's son nor in the returning to life of the dozing Bible study participant. Nothing about their story transfers to you and me. Only Jesus' death/life experience touches us. Only Jesus' resurrection affects the way we see our future.