Resurrection Power

As a man was being buried, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha; as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he came to life and stood on his feet. II Kings 13: 21 NRSV

This story has an almost Monty Python feel to it. Can you envision it? There are the mourners, weeping and moaning, covered in sackcloth and ashes. They are carrying the body on a bier, covered with a cloth. There is a procession making its way through the cemetery to the grave for this man. Suddenly, over the wall comes a group of violent criminals, brandishing weapons and spitting threats. The mourners scatter, screaming. The men holding the bier stop, one lets go and runs. Another says, "Let's just drop him here!" Another says, "Let's find another grave near here where we can quickly throw him!" Elisha's grave is just to the right. Quickly, the body is tossed in while the bier is thrown to the side. Everyone has scattered. The marauders have given chase. After a moment, their screams fade into the silence. Birds resume singing. And the dead man rises to his feet, brought back to life at the touch of Elisha's bones.

I think we are to laugh at the scene, then cheer when the man is brought back to life.  Even after death, Elisha's power has not abated.

Even after the death of God's only Son, God's power has not abated. In fact, it is stronger. With the resurrection comes hope and salvation for all of us.

Thanks be to God!

Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims