September 6, 2024
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 4:8-22, 32-37
Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:8-22, 32-37; Ephesians 5:15-33
“And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.” (2 Kings 4:16-17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God is in the business of resurrection. He brings life into the non-living. It’s who He is– He is life, and it’s what He does– He is the giver of life. God may give life directly by Himself, or He may use someone or something else, but He is always the source.
In the beginning, God brought forth life out of nothing by His Word and Spirit. He breathed life into dead dust, and Adam became a living being. He gave life to Sarah’s womb, and she bore a living son, Isaac. Scripture is full of stories such as these, and they tell the wonderful story of the life-giving God who is in the business of making alive what is dead.
Elisha, the prophet of God, told a woman from Shunem that she would have a son, although she and her husband could not have children. Sound familiar? Sure enough, God was true to His Word, and she bore a son. Tragedy struck, and her first-born only son died. In faith, she sought out Elisha and told him the news. Elisha entered into the room of her dead son, prayed to the Lord, touched him, and he awakened from death.
“Talitha cumi… Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41). Jesus spoke these words over the lifeless body of Jarius’ daughter. Death had to bow to the Lord of life. Jesus’ words breathed resurrection life into her, and she became a living being.
Word, breath, Spirit, and life – God’s instruments for resurrection given to the dead to make alive. “And you were dead in [your] trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). What hope do we have of life when we are already born dead? Like Adam, Sarah, Jarius’ daughter, and the son of the Shunammite woman, who needed life to be given to them, so do we, and God did.
“God, being rich in mercy…made us alive together in Christ, by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4). Jesus died! He was buried! And on the third day, he rose again from the dead that he might be the firstfruits of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20). And if Jesus is the firstfruit, that means there are certainly more to follow.
Christ has covered all your sins by His death, and He has conquered your grave through His life. We Christians do not fear death. No, Jesus’ words trump our sin and our death. They hold no power over us. His Word has been spoken over you. They are words of life. You are forgiven! Arise! Eternal life is yours! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It was a strange and dreadful strife When life and death contended; The victory remained with life, The reign of death was ended, Holy Scripture plainly saith That death is swallowed up by death, Its sting is lost forever. Alleluia! (LSB 458:4)
–Rev. Darrin Sheek, pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Anaheim, CA.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.
The new Guiding Word series takes you through all the books of the Bible in six volumes. Starting with the Books of Moses—Genesis through Deuteronomy—you will explore every passage of every chapter of each book with the help of maps, diagrams, links between the testaments, and clarification points.
