In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells us that the heavens, the earth, and all living things were created when God spoke them into existence (Genesis 1:1-31). The Gospel of John builds on this theme, stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-2, 4).
In other words, Jesus is the life-giving Word.
In the New Testament there are three separate accounts about a person’s death and subsequent resurrection of life through the spoken word of Jesus. Although the manner in which Jesus accomplished these miracles differs, one indisputable fact remains: When Jesus arrived on the scene and spoke the word, the person’s body was instantly and miraculously brought back to life.
Dying to Meet Jesus
Our first such incident occurs in Luke 7, when we encounter a widow from the town of Nain. Following the death of her husband, this widow was now confronted with the recent heartbreak of her only son passing away, too. Those two losses would be difficult for anyone to endure, but the widow’s plight was much bleaker. Because it was the custom of that day for women to depend solely upon the financial support of a male family member, the widow’s situation is undeniably desperate.
What would become of her? Those agonizing thoughts must have weighed heavily on her as she trudged behind the funeral procession.
The Bible tells us that while the procession continued toward the burial place, Jesus and a crowd of his followers were heading toward Nain. “Soon afterward he [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near the gate of the town, behold a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her” (Luke 7:11-12).
When Jesus sees the widow, he approaches. “He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (Luke 7:13). This widow must have wondered why anyone, in light of such discouraging circumstances, would tell her not to cry.
But Jesus was not done.
As he came up and touched the coffin, the Bible says that “the bearers stood still. And he [Jesus] said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother” (Luke 7:14-15).
God’s glory was on full display for all who witnessed this miracle. As a result of Jesus’ compassion and the miracle performed for this young man, a mother who only moments earlier was facing immense fear and uncertainty was now presented with her son and hope for a significantly brighter future.
The crowds were also astonished, with Luke’s account telling us that “Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’ and ‘God has visited his people!’ and this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country” (Luke 7:16-17). The Word (Jesus) had spoken, and a life was restored.
Only Believe
The second such event occurs in Luke 8 for Jairus, a ruler of the Jewish synagogue. His only daughter, about 12 years old, was dying, and Jairus literally drops to his knees, begging Jesus to heal her (Luke 8:41-42).
As they continue on their journey, Jairus receives the heartbreaking news that his daughter has died. “But Jesus on hearing this answered him, ‘Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well’” (Luke 8:49-50). Any parent can imagine how this tragic news would surely bring immediate and overwhelming grief.
We are told that when they reached Jairus’ home, Jesus enters the room where the young girl lay. Taking the young girl by the hand, Jesus commands her to get up. The Bible says, “her spirit returned, and she got up at once” (Luke 8:55).
After this miracle, Jesus’ humanity shines through when he instructs the girl’s parents to give her something to eat. The girl’s parents are so amazed after witnessing their child being raised from the dead that Jesus has to remind them that she is most likely hungry. And now, instead of making funeral plans, this family can now break bread together with Jesus, who, through his spoken word is not only the giver of life, but also the “bread of life” (John 6:35).
Three Powerful Words
Perhaps the most well-known example of this type of miracle is the resurrection of Lazarus found John 11.
As the narrative begins, we learn that Lazarus, a very dear friend of Jesus and the brother of Mary and Martha, is extremely sick. The sisters, well acquainted with Jesus’ ability to perform miracles, send word to Jesus stating, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3). After receiving this urgent message, Jesus responds to this news by declaring, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).
But then Jesus lingers for several days before returning to Bethany (John 11:6).
As they journey on to Bethany, Jesus informs his followers that “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him” (John 11:11). Confused, the disciples respond, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover” (John 11:12). In other words, if Lazarus is merely asleep, why are we going to Bethany? They do not comprehend that Jesus was speaking of Lazarus’ death. Then Jesus bluntly tells them “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him” (John 11:14-15).
When Mary encounters Jesus, she expresses her heartbreak: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:34).
The Bible tells us that Jesus is deeply moved in his spirit as he sees Mary weeping, along with the Jews who accompanied her. As they lead Jesus to the tomb, his human emotions are clear: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
Jesus instructs the crowd to remove the huge stone covering the tomb. Martha, Lazarus’ outspoken, realistic, and practical sister explains to Jesus that her brother has been dead for four days, and the stench of rotting flesh would overpower everyone. Jesus responds by reminding Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).
The crowd has heard enough, and they obediently move the stone away from the tomb entrance. It’s time to pray. As Jesus lifts up his eyes heavenward, he says “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me” (John 11:41-42).
After praying, with a loud voice the Word (Jesus) speaks three powerful words “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43). Lazarus appears at the tomb entrance. Once again, the power in the spoken Word of Jesus caused life to triumph over death.
What is the importance of these three narratives to us as believers? The answer is simple: Each one demonstrates Jesus’ power as the life-giving Word. But following these three miracles, we then discover the greatest resurrection story ever told, when Jesus himself died on the cross for our sins, and three days later God miraculously raised him from the grave.
The Bible tells us that one day Christ will return to the earth, and because of the power in the spoken word of Jesus, believers who have passed away and accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as atonement for their sins will also experience resurrection. That same spoken word of Jesus addressed to the young man in Nain, the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, will one day speak again, as our mortal bodies are miraculously raised to immortality to forever be with our Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 15:53).
As Paul tells the church in Thessalonica, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). By merely speaking, Jesus will raise the dead to life. The three examples from his first coming are merely a sneak preview of what will happen at scale for those who are “in Christ.” Wherever you find the Word, you find people experiencing new life!
Jackie Brown is a board-certified biblical counselor and the author of “Never the Same: Encounters with Jesus.” She and her husband Jim lead small groups at Crossroads Community Church (PCA) in Fishers, Indiana, where they are members.