During last week’s sermon about the resurrection of Lazarus, I tried to make a point of just how rare, unique, and unexpected this particular miracle really was. I attempted to make a list of the resurrection occurrences throughout the Old Testament and up to the resurrection of Jesus off the top of my head. After talking with Duke on Monday, I realized I made a mistake in my recounting. As a result, I decided I needed to make a physical list of these rarities to help emphasize just how amazing the resurrection of Lazarus would have seemed to the people, to fix my mistakes, and to clear up any confusion. Like I said during the sermon, “People don’t just rise from the dead!”

In the Old Testament, there are three (3) different events plus one (1) major vision. This does not include the resurrection prophecies. Here is the list:

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Elijah and the widow’s son                             1 Kings 17:17-24

Elisha and the Shunammite’s son                  2 Kings 4:18-37

The man buried in the grave of Elisha            2 Kings 13:20-21

Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones                    Ezekiel 37:1-14

In the New Testament, there are five (5) resurrections before the establishment of the church. Here is the list:

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Widow of Nain’s son               Luke 7:11-17

Jairus’s daugher                     Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:22-46, Luke 8:40-42

Lazarus                                   John 11:1-46

Dead raised at Jesus’ death   Matthew 27:52-53

Jesus’ resurrection                 Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-13, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18

In the New Testament, there are two (2) resurrections recorded after the establishment of the church.

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Dorcas                        Acts 9:36-43

Eutychus         Acts 20:6-12

Scripture records the prophets, the apostles, and Jesus healing many people or freeing them from demons. As you can see from the lists above though, God did not often show His power through raising someone back to life. In fact, the largest percentage of these are performed by God Himself through His Son.

There is one more resurrection that all of creation is waiting for and Christians should be anticipating (Romans 8:18-25). The one described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 at the 2nd Coming of Christ. There is only question that must be answered. Will we be ready?