"Child, get up." Her spirit returned.

 


There are critical six words in Luke 8: 54-55. You can read the full story. The six words we will focus on are together in the story: " 'Child, get up'. Her spirit returned." First, we can look at the first 3 words:

"Child, get up." which Jesus stated to the dead child. Now, following our discussions on resurrection and spirits, it is up to you to decide what you believe. If you do not believe in spirits and the resurrections Jesus performed, I would deem you not a Christian. In Luke 8: 54-55 Jesus uses his 'authority' to resurrect the child. Now is a good time for critical thinking and questioning. Where does Jesus get his 'authority'? Many want to know. The quick answer is that Jesus' authority comes from the Hebrew God. However, it could be that Jesus, knowingly or not, receives his 'authority' from a force undefined.

The 2nd 3 words: "Her spirit returned."  Again, critical thinking, reading and questioning. In John 6:63 Jesus states: "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless." Many people are fixated on a 'bodily resurrection'. We have briefly presented Jesus' resurrections--those in addition to his own. However, I would suggest none of us have seen a bodily resurrection--or have we and not realized it? The key is just what Jesus said: "The spirit gives life."  Also, the child's spirit must have been available because it is noted that "Her spirit returned." Apparently, her spirit was not in her dead body.

Studying the 6 words in Luke 8: 54-55 should help you to determine what you believe about Jesus's authority, resurrection, spirits and life after death.  

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