JESUS, VOICE OR WORD OF
The opening verses of the Gospel of John declare, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him, nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race” (Jn 1:1-4). These profound words introduce the foundational Christian belief that everything was created through God’s Word, who later became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14). Thus, the voice of the Son of God, Jesus, carries the same creative and redemptive power.
JESUS’ VOICE OVERCOMES DEATH
Throughout the Gospels, we witness the transformative power of Jesus’ voice in moments of miraculous resurrection. These accounts not only demonstrate His divine authority but also foreshadow the ultimate resurrection at the end of times.
The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter
In the Gospel of Mark, we read about Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus. “He took the child by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’ The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around” (Mk 5:41-42). The simple yet commanding words of Jesus bring life where there was death, showcasing the immediate effect of His divine utterance.
The Widow’s Son at Nain
Similarly, in the town of Nain, Jesus encountered a funeral procession for the only son of a widow. “He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this, the bearers halted, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you, arise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother” (Lk 7:14-15). Here, the voice of Jesus not only restores life but also returns hope and joy to a grieving mother.
The Raising of Lazarus
Perhaps the most dramatic instance is the raising of Lazarus. Despite being dead for four days, Lazarus responds to Jesus’ call: “He cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, his face wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, ‘Untie him and let him go'” (Jn 11:43-44). This miracle underscores the absolute authority of Jesus’ voice over death and decay.
SPIRITUAL AND FINAL RESURRECTION
Spiritual Resurrection
Jesus spoke not only of physical resurrection but also of spiritual rebirth. He proclaimed, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (Jn 5:25). This declaration highlights that the spiritually dead—those who are alive but estranged from God—can find new life through Jesus. The transformative power of His voice calls sinners to repentance and renewal, offering eternal life through faith and baptism.
The Final Resurrection
The power of Jesus’ voice will also be evident at His second coming. As St. Paul writes, “The Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess 4:16). Jesus also foretells this event: “The hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn 5:28-29).
Thus, we understand there are two critical hearings of the voice of the Son of God:
1. Spiritual Awakening: For those physically alive, the voice of Jesus calls them to rise from spiritual death to a new life in Christ. This spiritual resurrection happens through the sacrament of baptism, where one is born of water and the Spirit (Jn 3:5).
2. Eternal Resurrection: At the end of times, the same powerful voice will call all the dead to rise from their graves. This resurrection will bring either eternal reward or punishment based on one’s deeds during their earthly life.
REFLECTION
As Christians, these accounts and teachings hold profound significance. The voice of Jesus, both in His earthly ministry and in the promises of His second coming, assures us of His power to bring life out of death.
Embrace the Word
We are called to listen to the voice of Jesus in our daily lives. By engaging with the Scriptures, participating in the sacraments, and living out His teachings, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His Word.
Spiritual Renewal
Let us not wait for the final resurrection to heed His voice. Instead, we must continually seek spiritual renewal, allowing His voice to guide us from sin to righteousness, from death to life. This ongoing transformation is essential for living a life that reflects our faith and prepares us for the eternal life to come.
Hope and Assurance
The promise of resurrection assures us that death is not the end. In moments of grief and loss, we find hope in Jesus’ power over death. His voice that once called Lazarus from the tomb will one day call all the faithful to eternal life.
By living in the light of His Word and listening to His voice, we affirm our faith in the resurrection and the life to come. Let us, therefore, remain steadfast in our faith, always attuned to the life-giving voice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.