Dead People Need Resurrection Power

There are seven signs in John's gospel. And they're all significant of something else at the spiritual level that Jesus is communicating to His people. And the seventh sign? It's the most dramatic of all.

Scripture Focus: John 11:1-16

John doesn't refer to the miracles of Jesus as miracles. He refers to them as signs. Why? Because they're significant of some deeper truth at the spiritual level.

Let's trace through them quickly:

John 2 - The wedding is wineless. Jesus brings wine. The world is not only wineless, it's joyless. Jesus comes and gives festival joy.

John 4 - A man is sick and dying, showing us that our sin is a disease that infects us to the core of our being. Not allergies. A deadly disease.

John 5 - Jesus heals an impotent, paralyzed man. What's that showing you about your spiritual condition? That you cannot make the first move to God. You're not hobbling on one leg. You are immobile. You cannot make your way to God. He has to make His way to you and breathe life into your broken bones.

John 6 - Jesus feeds the multitudes, then says "I am the bread of life." You can die with a full stomach and an empty soul. Jesus says, "I'm the bread of life. I'll fill your soul."

Walking on water - Jesus has power over nature and can lead you to heaven's eternal shore.

John 9 - Jesus heals a man born blind. As it relates to our spiritual condition, you're not nearsighted needing contacts. You're blind as a bat. You cannot see. And because you cannot see, you cannot find Jesus. He must find you.

Then we come to the seventh sign in John 11: Lazarus.

Jesus waits till Lazarus is four days gone. He's dead. He's not sick in need of a doctor. He's dead in need of resurrection power.

If you've missed anything about John's gospel thus far, you're starting to get the idea. This isn't a synergistic effort. You're blind—God heals you. You're paralyzed—He restores you. You're dead—He resurrects you.

Get the idea? It's a sign because it's pointing to your spiritual condition.

Ephesians 2:1 says you were dead in your trespasses and sins. Not sick. Dead. Romans 3 says no one seeks after God. John 3 says unless you're born again, you cannot even see the kingdom of God.

And just like Lazarus couldn't raise himself from the grave, you can't resurrect your own dead soul. You need Jesus—the resurrection and the life—to speak life into your dead bones.

That's the gospel. Not that you were a pretty good person who just needed a little help. But that you were dead—spiritually lifeless, unable to respond, rotting in your sin—and Jesus spoke life into you.

Have you been raised from the dead? Or are you still trying to resuscitate yourself through religion, morality, good deeds?

Jesus has the power to raise the dead. He proved it with Lazarus. And He can prove it with you.

Stay dialed in.