Dead or Alive?

 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (John 5:25 ESV)

At this time in Jesus’ ministry, He had evidenced His deity's sign at the Cana wedding. He had healed the official’s son, disclosed his being the Messiah to the woman in Samaria, and told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” It is easy to see why this passage is often misinterpreted.

Upon reading this passage, it's natural to associate it with the deceased, often called “asleep.” However, it's crucial to note that Jesus had not yet performed the miracles of raising Lazarus or Jairus’s daughter. Therefore, this is not the intended interpretation.

This passage, in context, must be read with the understanding of who Jesus is speaking to, the Pharisees, who also got it wrong. Jesus had just healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, and after being identified by the man, the Pharisees confronted Jesus, as all this took place on the Sabbath. Jesus meets the confrontation of these men by telling them of His authority. This confused and angered them.

While in the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus hints at his deity; this is in the second place in John’s Gospel that Jesus actually reveals He is the Son of God. First, to the Samarian woman, an incredible disclosure on its own, and now to the Pharisees, who were completely deaf and blind and could not hear or see that the Christ stood before them.

The hour is now here where the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. God’s elect would hear Jesus’s words and, while dead in their sins, would be made spiritually alive. Those who came to faith in Christ, like those now, were made righteous.

The power of this transformation was brilliantly evident after the resurrection when those who were saved continued in faith, building and expanding the church, birthing Christianity. This is evidenced in Acts with the massive conversion by the Spirit through Peter on Pentecost. The dead will rise and be made whole. Those who have faith in Jesus, many of whom die every day, are raised to eternal life, standing in the presence of the Lord.

Have you placed your faith in Christ? The time is now; there may not be a tomorrow. If you do not know Jesus, call out to Him today, place your faith in Him, and repent your sins. A bright day is waiting.

This Memorial Day, we pray for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we and many others in many countries can freely practice our religion. We pray that they are seated at the table of the Lord. In Jesus' words, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Peace and Grace!