The Resurrection Principle
Author: Frank Tunstall
“Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did put their faith in [Jesus].
The result was a turnaround not only with Mary but the mourners too who had gathered in Bethany. They saw it and believed” (John 11:45, MSG).
Yes, suffering can liberate us, including our friends and relatives. Indeed, every ending has within it the seed of a new beginning, birthing new and higher meaning in our lives. My term for this is the Resurrection Principle.
Lazarus was raised from the dead bodily. But can anyone doubt several other wonderful resurrections stand out in this story? Mary experienced a “resurrection” all her own, and so did Martha. In fact, these sisters, along with their brother, were ushered into a totally different understanding of reality. It was a new world view for them, and they lived out their lives in its glow of how resurrection hope changes us. Even the mourners in Bethany who believed experienced this form of resurrection.
In better times Mary might have sat at Jesus’ feet, drinking in His teaching. This time her demeanor said her heart had been shattered. She probably thought her world had come to an end, and she would never be happy again. Mary had no comprehension at this point she and Martha, because of the loving grace in the heart of her Lord were on the threshold of blossoming into a new life (Isaiah 43:19). What was ahead for them was wonderful beyond their comprehension. It would also enshrine their names forever in salvation history.
Joseph’s world came to an end when his brothers sold him into slavery, but he experienced a resurrection in Potiphar’s house. Joseph’s life ended a second time when Potiphar threw him in jail on false charges. After some years, he experienced another resurrection. The result was he walked out of jail and was exalted to second in command of Egypt, amenable only to Pharaoh himself. Joseph died to the hope of ever seeing his family again, including his father and his brothers, and especially his brother, Benjamin. But in the rich grace of God this long-lost hope came to resurrection too.
We choose how we respond to what “crucifies” us. If we select the path of bitterness and cynicism, we will become negative toward life and frustrate the grace of God (Galatians 2:21). The road leading to the resurrection principle is illustrated in Jesus’ attitude: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). This choice to forgive is at the heart of the resurrection principle that Martha and Mary experienced.
THINK ABOUT IT: The resurrection principle leaps out at us: every ending has within it the seeds of a new beginning—every ending. Even death itself is an ending that results in a new beginning. This is true until we arrive at our heavenly home where there will be no more endings (see Romans 8:28).
People who select this track and take up their cross daily to follow Jesus will discover grace working in their lives (Genesis 50:20; Luke 9:23). In fact, the message of the Gospel is that the material the Lord makes crowns out of is crosses. Even if the months turn into years, and the years into decades, as was true with Joseph, the grace of God will ultimately bring us to a new beginning, and it will feel like a resurrection. The “crown” we will then wear will be made from the cross(es) we faithfully carried all those years until our “resurrection” came.
Then, Joseph’s conclusion will frame our new attitude: “You meant it for evil,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children” (Genesis 50:20–21; see also Romans 8:28).
Author: Frank Tunstall
“Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did put their faith in [Jesus].
The result was a turnaround not only with Mary but the mourners too who had gathered in Bethany. They saw it and believed” (John 11:45, MSG).
Yes, suffering can liberate us, including our friends and relatives. Indeed, every ending has within it the seed of a new beginning, birthing new and higher meaning in our lives. My term for this is the Resurrection Principle.
Lazarus was raised from the dead bodily. But can anyone doubt several other wonderful resurrections stand out in this story? Mary experienced a “resurrection” all her own, and so did Martha. In fact, these sisters, along with their brother, were ushered into a totally different understanding of reality. It was a new world view for them, and they lived out their lives in its glow of how resurrection hope changes us. Even the mourners in Bethany who believed experienced this form of resurrection.
In better times Mary might have sat at Jesus’ feet, drinking in His teaching. This time her demeanor said her heart had been shattered. She probably thought her world had come to an end, and she would never be happy again. Mary had no comprehension at this point she and Martha, because of the loving grace in the heart of her Lord were on the threshold of blossoming into a new life (Isaiah 43:19). What was ahead for them was wonderful beyond their comprehension. It would also enshrine their names forever in salvation history.
Joseph’s world came to an end when his brothers sold him into slavery, but he experienced a resurrection in Potiphar’s house. Joseph’s life ended a second time when Potiphar threw him in jail on false charges. After some years, he experienced another resurrection. The result was he walked out of jail and was exalted to second in command of Egypt, amenable only to Pharaoh himself. Joseph died to the hope of ever seeing his family again, including his father and his brothers, and especially his brother, Benjamin. But in the rich grace of God this long-lost hope came to resurrection too.
We choose how we respond to what “crucifies” us. If we select the path of bitterness and cynicism, we will become negative toward life and frustrate the grace of God (Galatians 2:21). The road leading to the resurrection principle is illustrated in Jesus’ attitude: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). This choice to forgive is at the heart of the resurrection principle that Martha and Mary experienced.
THINK ABOUT IT: The resurrection principle leaps out at us: every ending has within it the seeds of a new beginning—every ending. Even death itself is an ending that results in a new beginning. This is true until we arrive at our heavenly home where there will be no more endings (see Romans 8:28).
People who select this track and take up their cross daily to follow Jesus will discover grace working in their lives (Genesis 50:20; Luke 9:23). In fact, the message of the Gospel is that the material the Lord makes crowns out of is crosses. Even if the months turn into years, and the years into decades, as was true with Joseph, the grace of God will ultimately bring us to a new beginning, and it will feel like a resurrection. The “crown” we will then wear will be made from the cross(es) we faithfully carried all those years until our “resurrection” came.
Then, Joseph’s conclusion will frame our new attitude: “You meant it for evil,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children” (Genesis 50:20–21; see also Romans 8:28).