October 1 Life Again

2 Kings 4:18-37 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, "Oh, my head, my head!" The father said to his servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, "Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again." 23 And he said, "Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath." She said, "All is well." 24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, "Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you." 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, "Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, 'Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?'" And she answered, "All is well." 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me." 28 Then she said, "Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me?'" 29 He said to Gehazi, "Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child." 30 Then the mother of the child said, "As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, "The child has not awakened." 32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite." So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

I know this is a long Scripture to share in an email, but who can stop reading this remarkable story? In a manner similar to Elijah raising the widow's son in Zarephath (1 Kings 17), the Lord uses Elisha for Miracle Number Seven to resurrect the Shunammiite's son. What would be the purpose of giving to this woman a son, causing him to die and then raising him from the dead?

           There are several possible answers to the question. But let's look at this one. In this event, God is giving Israel a picture of what he would do through and with his own Son. Centuries later, the Father would exhibit through Jesus the same resurrection power. Jesus raised a young man, a little girl and Lazarus from death. Certainly Jesus' purpose was to say to the world as recorded in John 11:25-261 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." And then ask the question, John 11:26b "Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

                      Then, of course, God caused his own Son to die on a cross. The Holy Spirit then raised the Son to life. God wanted Israel then, and he wants you to know today that he resurrects from the dead, even into eternal spiritual resurrections.

           Celebrate this eternal resurrection: Ephesians 2:1 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins...4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved."

                      In his boundless love, God lavished his life into the Shunammite's son. And he lavishes life into our souls. As the woman proclaimed, "All is well." I urge you to believe in Jesus that you would live in faith that all is well forevermore in Jesus.

Prayer: Thank you for your resurrection power, Jesus. I know all is well in you. Amen.