The Voice That Commands Death

Imagine being at a funeral. The mourners are gathered around the grave. Tears are flowing, and the pain of loss hangs in the air. And then… a voice. A voice that cuts through everything: "Get up!"

Jesus has the power to command even death itself. When He took Jairus’ daughter by the hand and said, "My child, get up" (Luke 8:54), the impossible happened—she arose. When He stood at the tomb of Lazarus and called out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43), a man who had been dead for four days walked out alive.

This was no coincidence. Jesus’ authority over death was evident even before His own death. But the most incredible moment came when He called Himself out of the grave. Acts 2:24 (NIV) says: "But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him."

Think about the things in your life that feel "dead"—situations that seem hopeless, dreams that have faded. Jesus has the power to breathe new life into the impossible. Where do you need that power? Do you dare to believe that He can still speak into your life today, saying, "Rise up!"?

Perhaps you feel stuck, as if parts of your heart have been extinguished by disappointment or sorrow. But Jesus' voice is not just an echo from the past. He still speaks. His words still carry creative power, just as they did when He said, "Let there be light." What if you heard His voice today, calling over the brokenness in your life? How would it feel to rise up in faith and live fully again?

What does it mean to you that Jesus can literally command death?