May 12
Adult | Lesson 144
Jesus’ Authority over Death
Jesus demonstrates his power by raising the dead.
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Lesson Focus
Jesus demonstrated his authority over death by raising from the dead the son of a widow and Jairus’ daughter. He provided victory over death through his own resurrection. And he will ultimately conquer death so that in the consummation of all things, death will no longer exist.
Key Passages
Luke 7:1–17, 8:40–56; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28; Revelation 20:14, 21:1–4
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Describe how Jesus showed his power over death.
- Explain how Jesus will ultimately conquer death.
Memory Verse
Colossians 1:16–17 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
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Write on the board, “Are you afraid of death?”
AStudying God’s Word
Studying God’s Word
Use Student Guides or print the Victorious over Death activity.
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Studying God’s Word
Studying God’s Word
Introduction
- Write on the board, “Are you afraid of death?”
For the last several weeks, we have been looking at the teachings of Jesus, specifically those recorded in the sermon on the mount. While the sermon is not a list of moral proverbs, it does contain many teachings and sayings that are very valuable for Christian living. But we must be careful to never take the surface meaning without considering the context of a passage, and what the author’s original intent was.
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What was Jesus’ main intent as he spoke to his followers on the mountain? He meant to refocus his hearers on God’s original intent for the law.
The Pharisees and religious leaders had developed their own legalistic system for ensuring that the laws were kept. Over time, they came to view their traditions and rules as having the same authority as God’s laws. Additionally, they began to see ritualistic observance as works of righteousness. They believed that they could honor God by keeping the laws and their man-made traditions. But God had given the law to demonstrate that no one was capable of maintaining his holy standard. God’s law was intended to show them their inner wickedness and point them toward their need of the Savior.
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In what ways did Jesus correct the traditional understanding of the law? He showed that actions are reflections of inner thoughts and attitudes, which were just as much a violation of the law as the action. For example, lust is condemned the same as adultery; being angry with a brother is as lawless as murder.
After establishing a hopeless standard, Jesus then explained that a correct view of God and his law should lead to a heavenward focus and a trust in God’s provision.
- He also gave several examples of rituals that should be done genuinely, not for the approval of man. What practices did he point out? Giving to the needy, praying, and fasting.
- Jesus concluded his sermon with a rebuke and eternal application. For what did Jesus rebuke the religious leaders and their teachings? He rebuked their hypocritical judgment. They were being critical of others, passing judgment regarding whose works were righteous. And all the while, they were blind to the true meaning of righteousness and that it can only be attained through trust in Christ.
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How did Jesus illustrate the eternal implications of their choice? He spoke of two gates, one narrow and one wide; a bad tree that is cut down and thrown into the fire; people who worked for Jesus but were not known by him; and two foundations, one solid and one shifting sand.
Remember that we may have jumped out of our chronology a bit with the sermon on the mount, depending on how you harmonize the passages. As we pick up our lesson today, we will look at accounts during Jesus’ second year of ministry where he demonstrated his authority over death. You may remember that most, if not all, of what we have recorded from this year of ministry occurred in Galilee. Remind students that they can add these accounts to their Timeline of Christ
Jesus Raises the Dead
Turn to the Gospel according to Luke. We will start with the account of the centurion’s servant.
Let’s read Luke 7:1–10 together. Have someone read the passage aloud.
- When did the account take place? Luke begins with a time-connector. To tell when this is, we must look back to see what “all his sayings” referred to. Luke 6:17 tells us that Jesus was standing on a level place to speak to the crowd. Verses 20–49 seem to be very similar to the sermon on the mount we just studied. It seems that this address (whether the sermon on the mount or a separate event) would have taken place early in the second year of Jesus’ ministry, just after he named his 12 apostles. After finishing this address, he entered Capernaum.
- Where is this account set? Capernaum was a city in Galilee on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. Refer to the Regions of Palestine Map.
- What was a centurion? A centurion was a Roman military officer who had authority over 100 men.
- What are we told about the sick servant? The servant was at the point of death.
- How did the centurion address Jesus? The centurion never spoke directly to Jesus. Instead, he sent Jewish elders to speak to him. Later, he sent friends to deliver a message to Jesus.
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Why did the centurion speak through others? The context of the passage suggests that the centurion held a high view of Jesus, understanding his authority, and considered himself unworthy of hosting Jesus or even coming to him directly. This may seem odd to us, but in that culture, this was a demonstration of humility.
It is worth noting that critics may point to this account as an apparent contradiction. In Matthew 8:5–13, the record shows the centurion speaking directly to Jesus rather than sending emissaries.
- We know that the Bible is God’s inerrant Word and that God cannot contradict himself. So how might we explain the difference in these parallel accounts? Discuss answers, encouraging students to think through the solution. The most likely explanation is that Matthew simplified the event, emphasizing the point rather than the details. In first-century cultures, sending a messenger to speak on one’s behalf was virtually the same as delivering the message oneself. It would have been accurate for Matthew to describe the centurion as speaking to Jesus, though the words were delivered by his representatives. In fact, Luke’s account also records the words of the friends as if the centurion was speaking them himself.
- What is interesting about the first set of emissaries the centurion sent? The centurion sent the elders of the Jews to speak for him. They not only delivered his message but also pleaded earnestly for Jesus to answer his request. In fact, they called him worthy, though he called himself unworthy. It is interesting that the Jewish elders held such a high opinion of the Roman centurion. Generally speaking, the Jews resented being ruled by the Romans. You may remember that this was one of the reasons that tax-collectors were so despised; they worked for the enemy. So, it is significant that the Jewish elders spoke on behalf of the centurion.
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How did Jesus respond to their plea? He must have responded favorably because he went with them, presumably following them to the home of the centurion.
Again, we see the humility of the centurion as he sent another group of messengers to intercept Jesus. He did not want Jesus to be troubled to come out of his way; he did not consider himself worthy of having Jesus come under his roof.
- What else do we see reflected in the centurion’s message? He addressed Jesus as Lord, acknowledging his position of authority. This was not just a title of respect, though, because he went on to demonstrate faith in the compassion and authority of Jesus. He knew that Jesus had the power and authority to heal his servant. He believed in Jesus to the point that he knew his word was good enough. He didn’t need to see or touch the servant; he only needed to give the command.
- What analogy did the centurion give to illustrate Jesus’ authority? He likened it to the chain of command he was familiar with in the Roman military. He knew what it meant to submit to authority, and he knew what it meant to hold authority. He could speak a command to his soldiers and confidently expect it to be done. He recognized that the word of Jesus would accomplish whatever he intended.
- How did Jesus respond to the centurion’s request? He marveled at the faith of the man and granted healing to the servant.
- What did Jesus find significant about the exchange? Jesus commended the man’s faith. Not only was Jesus impressed with the man’s faith, but also his remark suggests that it was significant that this man was a Gentile and yet had faith unlike what Jesus had found among the Jews.
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Why was that significant? Discuss answers.
This is interesting for a couple reasons. The Messiah was a Jewish hero. In fact, many rejected Jesus because he was not the national liberator that the Jews expected. If that understanding was correct, Jesus would have been bad news for the Romans. Even as Jesus was sent first to the lost sheep of Israel, we know that Jesus came to save Jews and Gentiles alike (Romans 10:12), but traditional Judaism emphasized the role of the Jews as God’s chosen people and, thus, viewed the Messiah as the redeemer of the Jews. Based on this understanding, it is interesting that the centurion, a Roman, would ask a Jewish redeemer for a miracle. Additionally, this Gentile demonstrated a faith unlike those who should have been the first to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus’ remark was a kind of condemnation of the Jews.
Jesus demonstrated great power and authority by healing the servant who was about to die. Let’s keep reading.
Let’s read Luke 7:11–17 together. Have someone read the passage aloud.
- When did this account take place? Luke places this event soon afterward. You may have a footnote that explains some manuscripts say “the next day.”
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What contextual clue can we find to help us determine the relationship between these two events? The encounter with the centurion was in Capernaum; this account takes place in Nain.
Refer to the Regions of Palestine Map. Nain was a town in Galilee near the Samaritan border. Nain was about 20–25 miles from Capernaum. In a full, hard day of traveling, a group may have traveled 15 miles in a day. Considering all the factors, it is highly unlikely that Jesus was in Nain the very next day, though he could have left Capernaum for Nain the next day. Regardless, we can confidently connect these events as happening in a very short span of time.
- As Jesus and the crowd approached the town, what scene greeted them? They encountered a funeral procession.
- Who had died? The dead man was the only son of his mother, a widow. Based on the Greek word that Jesus used to address him (v. 14), this was a young man under 40 and likely unmarried.
- Why is that detail significant? Judaism was a patriarchal culture where it was extremely difficult to be a lone woman. We saw some of that struggle when we read about Naomi and Ruth. A widow would have been taken in by a son. By learning that she was a widow and that her only son had died, we can assume that she was in a very difficult situation. She may have had no one to take care of her.
- What did the widow ask of Jesus? Nothing. She was grieving her son; it was Jesus who initiated this encounter.
- What did Jesus do for the widow, even though she did not ask? He healed the son, raising him from the dead.
- What attributes of God did Jesus display in this encounter? He was compassionate (loving) and omnipotent over death.
- How did the widow respond? We are not told how the widow responded, specifically, but we are told that all were seized by fear and glorified God.
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Did the people understand who Jesus was? It is unclear from the information we have.
They spoke of a prophet and God visiting his people, but this does not necessarily mean that they realized he was the Messiah. Remember, there had not been a prophet in the land for four hundred years before John and Jesus. Even the presence of an ordinary man through whom God spoke and worked miracles would have been an incredible thing. However, we know that they recognized the role of God in the resurrection of the dead. Again, Jesus had displayed power and authority that could only come from God.
Jumping ahead a little, let’s read Luke 8:40–56 together, studying another example of Jesus’ power over death. Have someone read the passage aloud.
- I said we were jumping ahead a little. When did this event take place in our chronology? Luke records at least four other distinct events before this one. It is difficult to point to a specific time this account occurred, but this would have been later in the same year of Jesus’ ministry, while Jesus was traveling around Galilee.
- Why was the crowd waiting for Jesus? When Jesus raised the widow’s son, Luke tells us that the report about Jesus spread all over the surrounding country. There is a similar reaction just before, in Luke 8:39. Jesus had been traveling around Galilee and ministering throughout the region, so the word of his incredible miracles had spread. The people were waiting to hear what he would say and see what he would do.
- Who approached Jesus in this account? Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue. This was likely in Capernaum, since Jesus “returned” (Luke 8:40) by boat from Gerasenes (or Gadarenes). Refer to the Regions of Palestine Map.
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What did he ask for? His only daughter was dying; he had come to ask for healing.
As Jesus was going with Jairus to see the daughter, Jesus was interrupted. A woman with an incurable bleeding had pressed up behind him and touched the edge of his clothing. She was immediately healed.
- Why did Jesus ask who touched him? He perceived that power had gone out of him.
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How do we see Jesus displaying omniscience and omnipotence in this exchange? Discuss answers.
Some might read this account and think that Jesus didn’t know who touched him and that he didn’t intend to heal the woman but that she just stole his power. However, this interpretation does not accurately reflect what the Bible teaches about Jesus. First, we have seen his omniscience. He told Nathanael and the Samaritan woman about things in their past that an ordinary person shouldn’t have known. The healed woman “saw that she was not hidden,” suggesting that Jesus did know exactly what happened. Second, we have seen that Jesus was very intentional about what miracles he performed and when he performed them, carefully obeying the will and timing of the Father. It seems entirely out of character for his power to go out from him without his knowledge or permission. Additionally, if people could touch Jesus and “steal” his power, we can imagine that there would have been many more instances like this one. A better understanding would be that Jesus had allowed the woman to be healed by touching him and then gave her an opportunity to come forward, allowing God to receive the glory for her healing.
- How did this distraction change Jairus’ situation? While Jesus was dealing with the woman, word arrived that the daughter had died. Although we can’t say that the distraction caused Jesus to not get to the girl in time, you can imagine how Jairus may have felt about the whole ordeal.
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How did the situation change for Jesus? To Jesus, nothing had changed. He could heal the girl in death just as he could in life.
He continued to the house and said she was only sleeping. Even as the mourners scoffed, Jesus went in to the young girl, took her hand, spoke to her, and raised her from the dead.
Discover the Truth
In these accounts, we see that Jesus had the power not only to heal the sick but also to raise people from the dead. Jesus had authority and power over death. The people of Nain recognized that this power and authority could only come from God. Ever since the curse of Adam’s day, all life has been subject to death because of sin. But as God the Son, Jesus had the authority and power to overcome the power of death.
This authority is not entirely different from his power to heal and perform miracles, like we’ve talked about before. But there is an added significance here. When we think about things from an earthly perspective, death seems to be the ruling force. We cannot escape death; our world is ruled by death. But this is not entirely true. Death has been conquered by Jesus Christ and will be entirely defeated in the consummation of all things.
Victorious over Death Activity
We’ve seen how Jesus cured the incurable, healed the dying, and even raised the dead. In our activity today, we will spend some time looking at how Jesus conquered death and why he has authority over death. You will find the Victorious over Death activity in your Student Guides. Work through the activity and we will discuss what you found in a few minutes. Have the students work in pairs or small groups to complete the activity.
Connect to the Truth
Let’s look at what you’ve found.
Often, New Testament passages give us a fuller understanding of Old Testament prophecies and shadows. As we studied the Old Testament, we frequently pointed toward the New Testament to consider the fulfillment of certain promises. But it is also important as we study the New Testament to consider the Old Testament truths that undergird the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. The Old Testament foreshadowed the resurrection of the Messiah. Jesus himself foretold of his resurrection several times (John 2:19). Many disciples witnessed the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). This resurrection was a victory over death the enemy. Let’s briefly review the victorious phrases you found through the sampling in your activity.
Jesus had authority to raise others from the dead, but his power over death was more than a miraculous power to heal. Jesus was victorious over death itself. Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, having satisfied the wrath of God and overcoming the sting of death.
During his ministry, Jesus showed that he had the power to raise others from the dead. Through his resurrection, he proved that death could not hold him. He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father in glory.
- Read Isaiah 53:8–12. How does this messianic passage foreshadow Jesus’ victory over death? This passage clearly speaks of the Messiah. Although the Jews may not have clearly recognized the truth from this passage, we can see that it hints at Jesus’ resurrection. His soul makes offering for guilt, yet his days are prolonged. He will bear their iniquities, but he will receive an inheritance with the many. He poured out his soul to death, and yet he presently makes intercession for the transgressors. This prophecy speaks of an atoning death, and yet the one who dies continues to act after death, suggesting a victory over death.
- Read Psalm 16:10. How does this verse point to Jesus’ resurrection? This passage is not clearly speaking of Jesus. This is a prayer of David. However, it seems that the writer trusts God to rescue him from death and to keep him from corruption, or destruction. It seems that the writer expects to find himself in the grave (Sheol), and yet not abandoned or left there.
- Read Acts 13:26–39. How does this passage clarify or change your interpretation of Psalm 16:10? In this passage Paul was speaking to the Jews in Antioch. He quoted Psalm 16:10 and attributed it to Jesus. In this address, Paul clearly claimed that God raised Jesus from the dead (v. 30) and that he had defeated death, “no more to return to corruption” (v. 34). Paul connected the psalm to Jesus by contrasting David, who remained dead and saw corruption, with Jesus who “did not see corruption” (v. 37). Jesus died, was raised, and has victory over death.
- For each of the following verses, identify a phrase that speaks of Jesus’ victory over death.
- John 11:25–26 — “I am the resurrection and the life”; “though he die, yet shall he live”; “shall never die”
- Acts 2:22–24 — “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it”
- Romans 6:9–10 — “will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him”
- Hebrews 2:14 — “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil”
- Hebrews 10:12–14 — “Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God”
Death Will Be No More
But Jesus’ victory over the grave was not the end. Death could not hold Jesus, but we only have to look around us to see that death continues its hold on this world. The Bible tells of a time in the future when even this earthly realm is stripped from the power of death. Let’s take a look.
Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 together. Have someone read the passage aloud.
- What did Paul say would happen when the end comes (v. 24)? At the end, Jesus will destroy every rule, authority, and power. All enemies will be put under his feet.
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Who is the final enemy to be destroyed (v. 26)? Death.
Notice that Jesus is reigning until all enemies are put under his feet; he is not waiting until the end to reign. He currently holds all power and authority. And at the appointed time, he will destroy even death.
Turn to Revelation 20:14. Have someone read the passage aloud.
- What does this passage describe? This passage depicts the final judgment that occurs before the one on the great white throne. He is judging the dead, according to what was written in the books.
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After the dead were judged, what happened to Death and Hades? They were thrown into the lake of fire.
In other words, this passage shows that even death (the process of dying) and Hades (the place of the dead) are subject to the judgment of God. Death will be destroyed.
Just in case the idea isn’t yet clear, let’s read Revelation 21:1–4 together. Have someone read the passage aloud.
- When does this passage occur? In John’s vision, this scene is described as occurring after the judgment we just read about and after death is destroyed (i.e., thrown into the lake of fire).
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How can we be sure that this is speaking of a future event? This describes a new heaven and a new earth; the old had passed away.
Because we are still here, on the old earth, it is clear that this is a future event. We refer to this as the consummation, when all things are reconciled to God and restored to his perfect design.
- What characterizes this new earth? There is no sea and there is a new Jerusalem. God dwells with man, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.
Discover the Truth
Did you catch that? It said, “death shall be no more” (v. 4). At the end, death will no longer exist. Jesus demonstrated that he had the power to raise others from the dead and to rise victorious over death himself. And through the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection, death will be not only powerless, but also utterly defeated.
Application
Jesus healed the servant of the centurion without even stepping foot in the house. He raised the widow’s son from the dead even though no one asked him to do so. He healed the bleeding woman who reached out to him in faith. And he raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead though many scoffed. We have seen that Jesus had authority to heal and even to call people to life after they had died.
Raising people from the dead demonstrated a divine authority, but these resurrections were in a sense only temporary victories over death. The raised person would again succumb to death. But Jesus showed that his power over death was not temporary. He submitted himself to death, only to be raised from the grave on the third day, to die no more (Romans 6:9). Death could not hold him; he rose victoriously and ascended to the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33). And we know that his victory will be complete in the consummation, when death will no longer exist.
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- In the four healings we looked at today, Jesus commended two of the individuals for their faith. Another seemed to believe, but his faith was never mentioned. And in the other, there is no mention or demonstration of faith. How does this speak to the idea that faith is a prerequisite to healing? Although Jesus did accredit the bleeding woman’s healing to her faith and he commended the faith of the centurion, Jesus healed the widow’s son with no evidence of faith on the part of the woman. Obviously, we cannot know the woman’s heart, but her faith is not mentioned in the text. Neither did she demonstrate faith; she didn’t ask Jesus to heal her son. Jesus acted out of compassion. Faith does not guarantee immediate healing (e.g., Job), and healing does not require faith (e.g., the widow’s son).
- Romans 6:4 tells us that “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” How does understanding Jesus’ authority over death help you to think about your Christian walk? Discuss answers. Because Jesus rose victorious over death, we can live victorious over sin. By the power of Christ and the work of the Spirit in us, we can live free, no longer enslaved to sin. We must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11). Because Jesus is victorious over death, we have the hope of salvation and freedom from sin.
- How do you find hope in knowing that Jesus has conquered death? Discuss answers. We may get discouraged by the death and suffering we see in this world, but we can find hope in the expectation of a day when death no longer has dominion and all things are made new. We have hope of a resurrection because of Jesus’ victory over death.
- How might you turn a conversation about death into a conversation about Jesus and spiritual resurrection? A conversation about death can easily be turned to the gospel through contrasting the dominion of death on earth to the victory of Jesus over death. Jesus rose from the dead and will restore things to a point where death does not exist. Jesus’ power and authority over death means that we do not have to remain in bondage to sin and death, but we can be made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1–10).