Dr H Reflections

Spiritual breathing ∙∙

Spiritual breathing ∙∙

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. – Colossians 4:2

Ephesians 1:15-19

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,

16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

The autonomic nervous system operates primarily without our conscious awareness, managing essential bodily functions like digestion, respiration, and heart rate. It functions as an automatic control system, silently orchestrating vital processes. Our hearts beat tirelessly, and we breathe continuously without conscious effort.

In a similar vein, prayer can be likened to spiritual breathing. Just as we breathe incessantly, we can also engage in ceaseless prayer. It is a skill that can be developed. It requires an attitude of dependence upon and continual conversation with the Father. Through consistent practice, we cultivate the habit of seeking the Father’s guidance in decisions, offering praise, seeking wisdom, and exercising discernment. Relying on the Father gradually becomes a natural part of life for the children of the King.

The Father invites us into a way of life marked by unceasing, steady, and persistent communication with Him. Continuous prayer, or spiritual breathing, is a cornerstone in establishing and sustaining our relationship with the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

“The greatest ability is dependability” (Dr. Bob Jones, Sr.).

Father cultivate within me the practice of unending prayer. May my life be defined by the rhythm of spiritual breathing.

INSIGHT

Sometimes, we can intentionally control our breathing, though this deliberate focus is short-lived. Soon, we naturally revert to our usual, automatic breathing pattern, which operates without our conscious intervention. Can we engage in continuous spiritual breathing by focusing our attention? Maintaining such focused spiritual consciousness proves challenging in the midst of everyday life’s constant demands and distractions. Our attention often must shift to immediate tasks and responsibilities, pulling our conscious mind away from a continuous state of prayer.

Yet, just as our autonomic nervous system quietly manages vital functions in the background, our hearts can maintain a deep, ongoing state of adoration, receptiveness, and reliance on the Father. This underlying spiritual dependence doesn’t require constant mental attention but is a continuous undercurrent of devotion and trust in God.

Developing a perpetual reliance on the Father is achievable and part of developing a closer walk with Him. It is an attitude of the heart that persists, even when our conscious thoughts are engaged elsewhere.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

“The Colossians were to pray with mental alertness. Presumably, this meant that they were to know the circumstances of life, particularly those which affected the spread of the gospel. Informed prayer is likely to be more purposeful, personal, and powerful” (Melick Melnyk).

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

“This means, ‘Be steadfast in your prayer life; be devoted; don’t quit.’ This is the way the early church prayed (Acts 1:14; 2:46). Too many of us pray only occasionally – when we feel like it or when there is a crisis. ‘Pray without ceasing’ is God’s command to us (1 Thessalonians 5:17)” (Wiersbe).

So perhaps we might visualize a person wondering about muttering prayers almost silently under their breath (Wiersbe). Or walking about singing Gregorian chants. This misses the point entirely.

“Rather, it means we should constantly be in fellowship with God so that prayer is as normal to us as breathing” (Wiersbe). Our goal should be maintaining a positive, open relationship with the Father. Then, prayer becomes as natural as breathing, spiritual breathing.

Perhaps a negative example may help. There have probably been times in each of our lives when very difficult or heartbreaking things have happened. The result is that we become consumed with sadness, anger, or even rage. It becomes our constant, steady emotional state. Our emotional state may be temporarily interrupted because of the simple demands of daily life or physical activities that engage our minds. For example, making a grocery list, cutting the grass, or verbal or written communication.

Perhaps you have been in the midst of an intense emotional conflict with someone close to you, and the phone rings. Somehow, you temporarily manage to control your emotions and carry on a civil conversation. But the moment the call was over, the anger, sadness, or rage once again consumed you.

Spiritual breathing should become the constant, steady state of each child of the King. It undergirds and supports the work of service.

“A visitor at Spurgeon’s Tabernacle in London was being shown around the building by the pastor, Charles Spurgeon.”

“‘Would you like to see the powerhouse of this ministry?’” Spurgeon asked as he showed the man into a lower auditorium. “‘It is here that we get our power, for while I am preaching upstairs, hundreds of my people are in this room praying’” (Wiersbe).

Beyond spiritual breathing, some prayer requires intense focus and effort. We become imbued with power, and great energy is expended as we wrestle with the Father in prayer.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras . . . is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

The Greek word for wrestling, laboring, struggling, or earnestly is agonizomai. The English word agony is derived from agonizomai. It describes the energy expended in public wrestling games. The contestants engaged in a contest to contend for a prize. It required heroic effort and earnest striving to do one’s very best to achieve victory.

Every child of the King has the potential for spiritual breathing. It ought to be our collective aspiration and a lifestyle for each of us.

There are times, however, when more is demanded of us. In those moments, we are equipped to meet the challenge. Yet, engaging deeply in prayer, akin to wrestling, necessitates both practice and skill development. It’s comparable to training to engage in physical wrestling matches. You do not become an expert overnight. It requires practice. Nevertheless, you can set it as a personal ambition to be one of His children who is ready and able to wrestle in prayer.

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You have unction ∙

You have unction ∙

But ye have an unction from the Holy One. Ye are anointed with the Holy Spirit. – 1 John 2:20 (KJV)

Acts 16:12-15

12 From there, we reached Philippi, a major city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We stayed there for several days.

13 On the Sabbath, we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer. We sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.

14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

What is electricity, and how does it work?

Electricity is made up of atoms. These atoms serve as a secondary energy source generated from converting primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power, solar power, etc.

Electricity operates within closed circuits, requiring a complete loop for moving electrons. Flipping a switch on completes a circuit, allowing electricity to flow, whereas turning it off breaks this loop. This principle enables electricity to travel through wires, illuminating a light bulb and powering devices like your TV or household appliances.

You can have a fantastic light bulb capable of producing light and warmth. But without electricity, it remains dark and cold.

The unction of the Holy Spirit can be likened to the role of electricity. People without unction are just like light bulbs without electricity. The unction or anointing of the Holy Spirit is the power that equips the children of the King to serve Him effectively. They bring light and warmth into a cold, dark world.

Biblical understanding and communication begin with the factual knowledge of the objective Word of God. However, spiritual understanding and comprehension are equally crucial. How do we acquire knowledge and understanding? We need the Holy Spirit. Through His intervention, we receive, understand, appropriate, apply, and share God’s truth (Grant Richison).

The story of Lydia illustrates how the Holy Spirit works. The Father opened her heart, allowing her to grasp and embrace what she heard. This reveals the Holy Spirit’s extraordinary ability to draw individuals to the Lord Jesus Christ and showcases His pivotal role in spiritual enlightenment and conversion.

REFLECT & PRAY

The enemy of our souls does not want the glorious light of salvation to shine into people’s hearts. As the god of this age and the prince of this world, Satan is at work to keep us in the dark (Wiersbe).

Father thank You for providing the unction of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for opening my heart to understand and accept the Truth of the Word of God.

INSIGHT

During the Old Testament period, anointing involved both recognition and empowerment. Kings and priests were physically anointed with oil. This was analogous to an inauguration ceremony. Anointing empowered many individuals to carry out the Father’s tasks. The Old Testament prophets were anointed as needed by the Holy Spirit to receive the Father’s revelation and pass it on as prophecy.

Ezekiel 11:5 The Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me . . ..

Old Testament prophets needed power from the Holy Spirit to speak and communicate the Father’s message. They were akin to lamps that, while designed to spread light and warmth, needed an external energy source to shine. This vital energy was provided by their anointing by the Holy Spirit.

The Greek term translated as unction or anointing is chrisma. Chrismacomes from chrio, which means to anoint. Chrio literally meant to spread or pour oil or ointment. Chrismawas also used for commissioning and empowerment.

During the Old Testament period, special anointing oil was prepared. It was referred to as chrisma hagion – holy oil. In the New Testament, chrisma was also used for the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word chrisma is used only three times in the New Testament: 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27, and 2 Corinthians 1:21. The unction of the children of the King is not the physical “oil of anointing” (Exodus 9:7). Rather, they were anointed with something vastly superior, the Holy Spirit – pneuma hagion.

The apostle John writes to the children of the King to remind them of who they are and what they already have. “The object of the apostle in writing was not to communicate fresh knowledge but to bring into active and decisive use the knowledge which his readers already possessed” (Wescott).

The unction of the Holy Spirit equips the children of the King with profound spiritual insight and understanding and the ability to share it powerfully and effectively. Prophets do more than merely relay messages; they provoke thought, which often leads to a perspective transformation among those who hear their words.

1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One. Ye are anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Lydia was a woman of faith, a God-fearing Gentile. She yearned to be in the presence of the children of the King and to hear and absorb the word of God. What motivated her behavior? What was the source of her earnestness? The Holy Spirit worked within her, drawing her heart towards the Father. She felt the tug of the Holy Spirit in her heart. Soon, her heart opened to receive and embrace the message.

Acts 16:14 One of them was Lydia . . . who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

Lydia’s heart was opened at the moment the Holy Spirit’s unction/anointing empowered Paul’s preaching.

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him lives in you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So, just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Feeling the tug of the Lord is common among children of the King. When we hear His voice, our response should be, Father, what would You have me do?

Pause for a moment and allow these words to sink in.

The ancient Greeks believed verbal communication needed to embody three key elements: logos, ethos, and pathos, forming an indivisible unity. Logos pertained to the logical aspect of the message – its rationality, truthfulness, and alignment with reality. Ethos is related to the moral integrity of what was spoken. Was it ethically sound and, consequently, inherently beautiful? The synthesis of logos and ethos gave rise to pathos, the fervor, and passion with which the message was delivered.

The way people hear, absorb, and react to a message varies from person to person. The Holy Spirit navigates this immense complexity effortlessly. Through the unction of the Holy Spirit, hearts and minds are opened, enabling the Father’s message to be heard and embraced.

Is the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart?

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Commit your way to the LORD ∙∙

Commit your way to the LORD ∙∙

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. – Psalms 37:5

Psalms 37:3-5

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will act.

Five evangelical missionaries embarked on Operation Auca, aiming to share their faith with the Auca tribe in Ecuador, fully aware of the considerable dangers involved. The Aucas were known for their hostility towards outsiders, often resorting to violence to protect their isolation, attacking and killing any unwelcome visitors without provocation.

Ed McCulley, Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian knew they faced great danger, even death. They put their trust in the Father and committed their way to Him.

Their approach was peace and friendship; they made flights over Auca settlements, dropping gifts to signal their friendly intentions. This gesture sparked curiosity among the Aucas, who began to collect at the drop sites. In a significant exchange, the Aucas sent up a feather headdress as a gift, attaching it to a line from the missionaries’ plane.

Eventually, the missionaries decided to land near an Auca village, where they set up a prefabricated treehouse. In friendship, they called out into the surrounding forest and awaited a response.

However, no further communication from them was received. Another missionary later flew over the site, spotting the plane from the air. He discovered the lifeless bodies of all five men, confirming the ultimate sacrifice they had made.

But the story did not end there. It only began.

Stepping into the void left by the fallen missionaries, Elisabeth Elliot and Rachel Saint courageously made their way into Auca lands. Without weapons and posing no threat, they exemplified Christian principles of forgiveness. Their bravery and willingness to forgive captivated and amazed the Auca people. They were able to share the gospel message. Large numbers of the Auca accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Among them were the killers of the five men. The two women became the first outsiders to enter Auca territory and live to tell about.

Elliot and Saint’s journey into Auca territory broke new ground. They became the first non-natives to enter and survive, sharing their story with the world.

Their extraordinary story caught the attention of Life magazine, which dedicated a 10-page photo essay to them. This was followed by features in Reader’s Digest and numerous other media outlets. The five missionaries, already welcomed in the Father’s presence as good and faithful servants, became famous worldwide on planet Earth. Their dedication and ultimate sacrifice left an indelible mark on many alive at that time, a legacy that endures and continues to inspire to this day.

REFLECT & PRAY

It is almost incomprehensible to think that our Father God wants to be the source of our greatest delight, pleasure, and sense of fulfillment.

Father my deepest desire is to trust You and fully give myself over to You, placing all that I am and possess in Your trust. Encourage me to do just that.

INSIGHT

Fallen creatures in a fallen world do what comes naturally. What comes naturally for most people is to seek their own best interest and trust in themselves. All of the children of the King have this tendency. But the Father offers something entirely different for His children. He wants us to follow a different path and live an alternative lifestyle. What are that path and lifestyle? What does this entail? He wants us to place our complete confidence and trust in Him and depend upon His precious promises in the Scriptures.

Psalms 37:3-5 provides some broad guidelines regarding how to do this.

Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

We are to trust in the Father. What is trust? Trust means having strong confidence in or reliance upon someone. The Father God embodies trustworthiness. Putting our confidence and trust in Him is the natural response to His nature and character. The Father provides security and makes us feel safe. How do we demonstrate that we trust the Father? We demonstrate our trust through our actions. Rather than doing evil, we are to do good.

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

The world is filled with fleeting joys and countless ways to seek momentary satisfaction and indulgence. There are so many ways to feel good and be pampered. Everywhere we turn, there are promises of achieving personal fulfillment through various means.

In contrast, the Father presents an entirely different approach to finding and experiencing pleasure. Our joy should be found in Him. We are to take delight in Him. We are to repurpose ourselves to seek and receive boundless pleasure in Him. “The path to true self-fulfillment does not lie in a preoccupation with self but in selfless preoccupation with God. When the psalmist sets his heart on God, God reciprocates by making him truly fulfilled.” (NIDOTTE).

Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.

The Hebrew word translated as commit is galal, which literally means to roll or roll away. To commit is not merely intellectual assent. Instead, it presents an all-encompassing alternative way of life. “It means to turn over to the Lord your whole life – all your desires, problems, anxieties. Let the Lord determine what your life is to be; trust in him” (UBS). It entails settled confidence and a deep reliance on the Father.

Imagine you’re burdened with an immense weight that is all you can bear when the Father invites us to commit our lives to Him. He asks us to transfer that heavy load from our shoulders onto His. Our Heavenly Father willingly takes on this burden for us.

When we commit, He takes action. He will do whatever is necessary (FRCL) to accomplish His plan. This is where our trust and faith are put to the test. He does not tell us in advance what He will do or when He will do it.

The five missionaries, young and full of zeal, were ready to face death in their mission for the Father. Yet, like many twenty-somethings, the prospect of being killed so suddenly by those they aimed to reach with the message of Jesus Christ likely seemed remote. For them, the outcome was totally unexpected.

However, they were exactly where the Father intended them to be. Through their ultimate sacrifice, salvation reached countless souls. The impact of their lives inspired tens of thousands to dedicate themselves to full-time ministry as pastors, teachers, and missionaries, influencing millions more.

In the Father’s calculus, the sacrifice of five of His dear, precious children was a high price to pay. But it was worth it. It was His plan all along.

Reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the greatest cost ever borne by the Father. Yet, through Jesus’s sacrificial death, He brought about redemption and reconciliation to the world. This was also the Father’s plan all along.

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Golden splendor ∙

Golden splendor ∙

Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor. – Job 37:22

Psalms 96:9-13

9 Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him.

10 Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise

13 before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice and the nations with his truth.

Daylilies, also known as Hemerocallis, are often called the “perfect perennial.” Once established, they are sun-loving, easy to grow, and drought-tolerant.

One truly magnificent variety is the Golden Splendor Lily. They are often called Yellow Trumpet Lilies or Aurelian Lilies. They are known for their immense flaring trumpet-shaped yellow/golden blooms with a strong, sweet fragrance. They grow 4 to 6 feet in height. The flowers are 6 to 8 inches long and outfacing.

Blooming from early to mid-summer, they boast 12 to 20 flowers on each stem, renowned for their unparalleled elegance and beauty. Thriving in full sunlight, they also adapt well to partial shade and can withstand the heat of summer days. Lilies are exceptional as cut flowers, offering long-lasting blooms with buds that continue to unfold and mature even after being cut.

The Father’s Golden Splendor is showcased throughout the natural world He created. This splendor is seen in the flowers and fauna of the world and the celestial bodies above.

These magnificent expressions of golden splendor, created and placed in the world by the Father, mirror His own divine grandeur.

Psalms 19:1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his handiwork.

Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature.

Psalms 48:1-2

1 How great is the LORD, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!

2 It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King!

REFLECT & PRAY

Psalm 96:9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

Father thank You for attracting me to You with Your glorious, golden splendor. Thank You for transferring me from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light of Your dear Son.

INSIGHT

Job 37:22 Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.

Zahab is the word for gold. It is frequently translated as gold, golden, or splendor. Job 37:22 refers to golden rays or splendor. It is not a reference to a natural phenomenon but rather the glory of God.

Zahab is derived from the Hebrew verb zahar, which means to shimmer, shine, be light, or glitter. It connotes shining brightly, emitting brilliance or splendor. It can be correctly translated as “rays of gold,” “golden glow,” or “golden splendor.” The Father dwells in glorious splendor.

The Hebrew words rendered as dazzling splendor or awesome majesty are yare hod. Hod is the quality of a person or thing that inspires all our reverence of the beholder. The Father is clothed with awesome majesty. His Golden Splendor is attractive and alluring. His magnificence and splendor draw children of the King to Him.

“And the glory of God fills us with awe” (UBS). Job 37:22 may be translated, “From the north God comes bright as gold, and his glory (brightness) causes us to fear him” or “God comes from the north shining like gold, and his brilliance frightens all who see him.” (UBS)

When Elihu uses the Hebrew word sapon, translated as north, it is not geographical north, but God’s heavenly abode, the heavens, the highest heavens, far away in the north. (Isaiah 14:13-14) (EBC). This reference to the north is common in the cultural milieu of the day. In Canaanite mythology, their gods were pictured as sitting in assembly on a northern mountain (Psalms 48:1-2).

Isaiah 14:13-14

13 For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.”

14 “I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.”

Many pastors, teachers, and commentators allude to the Shekinah glory of God when they refer to His glory or presence dwelling among His people. Nonetheless, the word “shekinah” does not appear in the Old or New Testaments. Instead, it originates from post-biblical Jewish writings, the Talmud, the Midrash, and other rabbinic literature. It describes the immanent presence in the world of the transcendent God.

Check it out for yourself. Do some due diligence with a concordance and Bible encyclopedias. The word shekinah is not found in the Old Testament. If the term Shekinah is not found in the Bible, how did it enter into the everyday vocabulary of the children of the King?

Many passages in the Old Testament record the presence of God dwelling among the people of Israel in a particular place: Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-18), in the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35), or the temple (2 Chronicles 6:1-2).

When the Old Testament refers to the Father dwelling, abiding, or settling down among the people, it uses the Hebrew verb shakan. Shakan is translated as “the one who dwells” or “that which dwells.”

Exodus 40:34-35

34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.

35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.

The New Testament concept of God’s indwelling presence is found in the Book of John, which references the incarnation.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

When the Lord Jesus Christ was on the earth, He made His home among the people of planet Earth. He literally pitched His tent and dwelt among us.

The Greek word translated as dwelt or made His home is skenoo. Skenoo means to pitch a tent, settle,and take up residence. The Greek noun derived from this verb is skenos. It refers to a tent, lodging, or a temporary abode.

Throughout the ages, mystics from diverse religious beliefs and disciplines have sought to reach out and “touch the divine.” They sought to know and experience a higher power greater than themselves.

So it was with Jewish mystics. One such sect was called the Kabbalah. For them, the close personal presence of God in the world and their lives was referred to as the Shekinah.

The notion of enjoying a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is at the heart of Christianity. Experiencing His presence is one of the immense pleasures available to every child of the King. Paul had such an experience and wrote.

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.

Paul’s objective is not merely to acquire knowledge about Christ but to cultivate a personal relationship with Him (Stanley).

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Dead or alive ∙∙

Dead or alive ∙∙

Lazarus, come forth – John 11:43

John 11:25-26

25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies,

26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

Benjamin Schreiber received a life sentence

without the possibility of parole following his conviction for first-degree murder. In March 2015, he developed large kidney stones that led to septic poisoning and died. However, his death was “short-lived.” He was resuscitated and recovered.

Schreiber filed a claim to be released. He argued that when he died, his life sentence was completed. Consequently, his debt to society was fulfilled, and now he deserves to be released.

The court rejected this supposed loophole and disagreed with Schreiber’s argument. Judge Amanda Potterfield highlighted, “Schreiber is either still alive, in which case he must remain in prison, or he is actually dead, in which case this appeal is moot.” Judge Potterfield found Schreiber’s argument “unpersuasive and without merit.” The fact that Schreiber was able to submit a legal challenge for his release clearly indicates he is alive.

This case touches on the advancements in medical science that allow reversing what can be described as momentary or short-lived death. Resuscitation practices have become relatively common, enabling revival from states lacking blood circulation and oxygen, which traditionally would result in organ failure and death within minutes. Under certain conditions, such as exposure to extremely cold conditions, resuscitation might be possible even after a more extended period.

However, the court noted that modern medical resuscitation is distinct from the concept of resurrection as understood in biblical terms, which involves a return to life after permanent death and decay, exemplified by the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. This distinction underlines the court’s decision against Schreiber’s unique appeal for freedom based on his temporary clinical death.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Creator of life has power and authority over death and decay! He has the ability to transform our mortal forms into glorious bodies, such as the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.

Father I am in awe of Your awesome power of life and resurrection. “What is impossible for people is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

INSIGHT

Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, held a dear place in the heart of Lord Jesus Christ. When Lazarus fell seriously ill, his sisters urgently summoned Jesus, expecting Him to come and heal their brother promptly. However, Jesus chose to delay His arrival, staying where He was for another two days, ensuring that Lazarus had indeed died. In those times, the primary mode of travel was on foot, meaning news and people moved slowly. By the time Jesus reached Bethany, Lazarus had been entombed for four days.

Why four days? Even in the 21st century, resuscitation would not have been possible. Irreversible damage would have already occurred. This narrative wasn’t about healing the sick or resuscitation. It was a divinely orchestrated opportunity to reveal a more profound truth about the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father that was yet unknown. He was setting the stage to unveil a startling, seemingly incredible truth.

Understandably, Martha felt a mix of sorrow and disappointment, perhaps even bitterness. She did not doubt Jesus’ ability to perform miracles and heal the sick.

Despite her grief, Martha managed to restrain any dramatic display of emotion when she finally confronted Jesus. There was no outburst, but her disappointment was palpable. She approached Jesus with a poignant mix of faith and reproach, saying, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Of course, the 500-lb. Gorilla in the room was, what was not said, “Why didn’t You come? We were depending upon You.”

The Lord Jesus Christ was not harsh but exceedingly kind, gentle, and meek in His response. He took the conversation to a whole new level. He categorically stated, “I AM the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). At first glance, it appears that the Lord Jesus Christ claimed to have the power to raise anyone who dies from the dead whenever He wanted.

But there’s more. The Lord Jesus Christ is greater than death! He does not merely have life; He has life-giving power. At the moment of resurrection, He gives life to the dead. The concept of resurrection isn’t just a distant prophecy about the end times. He has the immediate power to grant life and to resurrect in the now.

His words are utterly staggering and unbelievable.

John 11:25-26

25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

26 “Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

On the surface, these two sentences seem paradoxical and perplexing. But the confusion is removed when you realize that He refers to two different groups of people. The first group consists of the believers who pass away; He will resurrect these individuals in the future. A smaller subset of believers will remain alive when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. They will not experience death.

“How is this possible? The answer is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18. When Jesus Christ returns in the air to take His people home, those who are alive at His coming shall never die. They shall be changed and caught up to meet Him in the air” (Wiersbe)!

These faithful individuals won’t experience physical death. They live in faith and will never die because they are present at the moment of His return. For them, life transitions directly into an eternal state as their mortal bodies are transformed into glorified, immortal ones.

Jesus emphasized that Lazarus’s death was not about mourning but was meant to glorify God. Hundreds, if not thousands, of mourners had gathered. They were all witnesses to what happened next.

The Lord Jesus Christ backs up His incredible claim using only three words: “Lazarus, come forth.” His few words were simple and straightforward, but they were backed by the unlimited power and authority of the Father, the living God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life. He simply speaks to Lazarus’s dead body, and his dead body somehow is able to “hear and obey.” Lazarus’s dead and decomposing corpse was restored and instantaneously resurrected. Lazarus emerged from the tomb, alive once more, in a stunning demonstration of divine power.

Hundreds of onlookers were totally astonished and overwhelmed; they were blown out of their socks. Multitudes of them believed. This was the climax of a brilliant campaign to bring glory and honor to the Father. This miraculous event wasn’t just about bringing Lazarus back to life; it was a profound act designed to honor God and became one of the most public and pivotal miracles Jesus performed before His own death and resurrection.

“When you are sick, you want a doctor and not a medical book or a formula. When you are being sued, you want a lawyer and not a law book. Likewise, when you face your last enemy, death, you want the Saviour and not a doctrine written in a book. In Jesus Christ, every doctrine is made personal. When you belong to Him, you have all that you ever will need in life, death, time, or eternity!” (Wiersbe)

Philippians 3:21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 1-21-2

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