Faith and Resurrection – Hebrews 11:35

Faith and resurrection always go together. Wherever there is a strong Christian faith, the resurrection is behind it. On the other hand, whenever your faith is weak or lacking, it is the resurrection that is being forgotten or neglected. The truth of Jesus’ resurrection is absolutely central to true faith. God has a goal for salvation in each of us and to accomplish that goal He pursued us, even to death on a cross. He rose again from the dead on the third day and began a good work in the believer, which He will perfect on the day of His coming. If Christ is not raised, then our faith is in vain! (1 Corinthians 15:13-14) There is not greater reality then Jesus’ resurrection. All other realities are temporary and will eventually cease, but resurrection is the beginning of eternal life.

In Hebrews 11:35, the surrounding context leading up to this passage is those of strong faithful conquerors. Hebrews 11 is known as the Hall of Faith, recounting the heroes of the Old Testament. But when we come to verse 35, we find women who have lost and others who were tortured and died. Why the contrast? Though the stories might be different, they share the same faith in the resurrection. We admire the other in chapter 11 but we dislike verse 35 because they weren’t victorious but suffered. It’s true, Christians suffer and some suffer their whole lifetime. Jesus never promised a trouble free life. Instead, He says He also went through suffering and overcame it (John 16:33). The world has many troubles and it cannot solve them, not with all the money or technology. But Jesus has peace and so do you in Him through the resurrection. The resurrection is the display of God’s power over sin, death and this dying world. Behind your living faith is the power of the resurrection.

Faith’s ultimate goal is the resurrection. After Elijah raised her son from the dead, the women declares her faith in God’s word (1 Kings 17:24). The summit of our faith is the resurrection. There is greater power or truth. It is one of the qualities of faith, it brings people back. Ephesians 2:8 you were once dead, but now you are alive by faith. Faith gives live. This gift of life is initiated by the God. The dead cannot move or react. They have no desires or will. Through the declaring of the gospel, the dead are awakened.

Also in this verse, we see and example of Biblical feminism. True equality comes from the Bible because God is the Creator who has made them equal, but different by design. In this verse, the women had the same faith. In Exodus, in God’s law, there is the command to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12), however in Leviticus the order is mother and father (Leviticus 19:3). God writes them as equal. Women have the same strong faith (Judges 4:4, Hebrews 11:9). All are same in Christ by our faith in the resurrection (Galatians 3:28)

How do you know your faith is from the resurrection of Jesus? Firstly, do you believe the resurrection? (1 Corinthians 13-14). Then your faith can withstand all trials. To do so, you must receive, recognize, risk and rest in the resurrection of Jesus. Trials are painful and difficult. Especially those who have lifelong illnesses, their life is full of hardships until the day they die, and some have even denounced the faith. But for the true believer, because of the resurrection, their hope is in heaven. By the resurrection, we know that in heaven, all sickness and pain will be gone and we will be made perfect. This present life is full of trouble and sorrow but death is not the end because Jesus is alive. There check your faith, your saving faith. Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the true gospel?

Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑