Jesus said … “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
John 11:25 – 26 KJV
John 11:25 – 26 KJV
If you were to ask what I want more than anything else in this day and hour; if you were to ask what I want for the Church as a whole and for individual believers around the world, I could answer you with six simple words.
A greater release of resurrection power.
I believe with all my heart that is what we need to rise up in glory and finish the work God has called us to do. That is what we need to bring believers to maturity and win the world.
Resurrection is one of the most familiar words in the Bible. It’s the word we use at Easter when we talk about Jesus rising from the dead. It’s the word we use at funerals when we talk about the day our bodies will be raised up, glorified, and immortal. When we speak of resurrection, we are usually referring to the past or looking forward to the future.
But I am convinced the Lord wants to change that. He desires to quicken in us the revelation that resurrection isn’t just a historic event. It isn’t just a promise for tomorrow.
Resurrection is Jesus’ very identity. Resurrection is His mission. It’s what He came to pour out upon a lost and dying world.
Jesus wasn’t just being poetic when He said, “I am the resurrection, and the life….” He meant it; and when He was on earth, He proved it again and again.
He resurrected the deadened eyes of the man born blind and made them see.
He resurrected the adulterous woman who was as good as dead by shaming her executioners into dropping their stones and setting her free to “Go and sin no more.”
He became the resurrection for Jairus’ dead daughter by gripping her limp, lifeless hand and saying simply, “Little girl, arise.”
Releasing resurrection power was Jesus’ ministry.
He didn’t intend for that ministry to stop after His ascension, either. He didn’t intend for His resurrection to be relegated to a Christian holiday celebrated once a year. He meant for us as His followers to celebrate it every single day of our lives by releasing its power to those who need it.
As believers, this is our commission. This is our calling: to do the works that Jesus did—and even greater works. To go into all the world and release His resurrection life to all kinds of people in every imaginable situation.
He has called us to the ministry of resurrection.
Scripture Reading: John 11:1–44
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”
