In the village of Shunem (in the northern kingdom during the nation’s split) lived a kind and generous woman whose name we don’t know. She was hospitable to the prophet multiple times. “One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.” (2 Kings 4:8) It makes me wonder if this is how Jesus became friends with the sisters, Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus.
After entertaining the prophet whenever he passed through town, she suggested to her husband that they build a guest room for him, and furnish it. “She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.’” (2 Kings 4:9–10)
Determined to return the woman’s kindness, Elisha’s servant pointed out, “She has no son and her husband is old.” (2 Kings 4:14) So, Elisha told the woman that within a year, she would hold a son in her arms. She was overwhelmed with joy, as most women are when they learn they are pregnant.
True to his prophecy, the following year she had a son. Some years later, during a harvest he visited his dad out in the field. While there, he complained that his head hurt. Perhaps thinking the boy was just dehydrated, the father had the lad carried into the shade of the house. His mother rocked him until noon, and then he died. Only a parent who has lost a child knows the grief of this woman.
Not telling her husband what had happened, she rode as fast as she could to Elisha. As soon as she poured out her grief, Elisha returned with her. Arriving at her home, he prayed to God and then laid on the boy’s lifeless body similar to what Elijah had done in 1 Kings 17. Suddenly, the boy was restored to life. I’m sure his mom had a story to tell her husband when he came in for dinner that night (if she could contain her joy till then)!
While not many people down through history have had loved ones restored to life, there are many who have worried over a sick child or spouse and have been grateful when they recovered. Gratefulness is shown for help from the medical community, but I wonder whether God gets any thanks from people who don’t follow Jesus.
There were many healings that Jesus performed and also a few resurrections: Jairus’ daughter, a widow’s only son, and Lazarus. While each of these brought insurmountable joy to their loved ones, they pale in significance to Jesus’ own resurrection. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25) His resurrection was proof-positive that His shed blood was sufficient to cleanse anyone from sin who would trust Him as Savior and Lord.
The resurrection of Christ sets Him apart from all other religious leaders. On that first Easter morning, Jesus came back to life and burst forth from the grave, showing that He had power greater than death. He had told His disciples several times that He would be killed and three days later be resurrected, being the only Person to predict His own death and resurrection. While you can only know about other famous people who have died, because Jesus is alive, you can have an ongoing friendship with Him.
Death will still visit each of us. But Jesus promised to resurrect our bodies and transform them to live forever in Heaven with Him. Jesus, “by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:21) In addition to going to Heaven, if you repent of your self-rule and ask Jesus to lead your life, you will be given the Holy Spirit to help you live a new life now.
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