21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
It is the right of Deity alone to raise the dead and give life – both physically and spiritually. This is purely the work of divine power, the knowledge of it solely by divine revelation. Here Jesus states that He is invested with this prerogative – by His Word He can work anything. Resurrection is a return to life – both physically and spiritually - Christ being the Author of this return and the life effervescence of this return. Oftentimes life’s circumstance can leave us dry, depleted, disappointed and dismayed. Things do not turn out as we had planned or hoped or dreamed. The Giver of every perfect gift holds out the fullness of life to us and woos us with His love asking if we are willing to walk by faith in His good and pleasing and perfect will. Indeed, He states that this is the reason for which He came:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
“Sinners are spiritually dead, miserable, but neither aware of their misery nor able to help themselves out of it. The conversion of a soul to God is its resurrection from death to life; then it begins to live when it begins to live for God. It is by the voice of the Son of God that souls are raised to spiritual life. The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God.” Matthew Henry
25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep . 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." John 10:25-30 (NIV)
I am reminded of Jesus’ comforting Words to mourning Martha after the death of her brother Lazarus and His penetrating question which followed:
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 (NIV)
I am reminded of some of the sweetest verses in Scripture regarding this subject. Below are a few just to savor and demonstrate to us that God’s motivation towards us is love. Perhaps we should follow each of these verses with Jesus’ Words to Martha - “Do you believe this?”
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:1-5 (NIV)
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)
“Do you believe this?”
“Reader, is the Lord Jesus thy Shepherd? Has he called thee out of the wilderness? Called thy heart from the love of sin and the world, and brought thee into his fold and pastures; brought thee into a close attendance on his ordinances? And does he feed and refresh thy soul with his word? Canst thou distinguish the Shepherd’s voice from the voice of an hireling? And does thy heart cleave to the Shepherd in faith and love; adoring his person, and approving his laws, as well as admiring his doctrines? Then fear not; the Lord is with thee; Jesus is thy Shepherd: thou shalt want nothing that is really good. Follow thy Shepherd till he bring thee to glory.” K. H. Von Bogatzky