The Prophet Elisha
2 Kings 13:21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
This wasn’t the first time Elisha had raised someone from the dead (see 2 Kings 4). But it is the first time that a dead man raised someone from death. It’s incredible, when the dead body touched Elisha’s bones, that dead body came to life!
Of course, this shows that it isn’t Elisha who raised him just as it wasn’t Elisha all along doing the miracles. It has ever been the same God of Elijah who was with Elisha – the God who raises the dead. The God who became man and willingly chose death so that through death He might destroy death and life might reign in and over death.
It is as if Jesus being buried in the grave has touched the dead bones of all who ever died. And like the man thrown into Elisha’s grave, all will again spring to life. For the scriptures say, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
So, for you who have been bound to Jesus in baptism, you shall live in joy eternal! Wherever and whenever you are buried, in the grave you will find not death and decay and fear but Jesus’ empty grave and Jesus’ eternal life just as surely as Elisha will. For where is the God of Elijah? He was buried in a tomb, but He is not there since He lives. And that means He is with you, and you will be with Him forever!
Weeping, be gone; Sorrow, be silent:
Death put asunder, and Easter is bright.
Cherubim sing: “O grave, be open!”
Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light.
Jesus is risen and we shall arise,
give God the glory, Alleluia!
Lutheran Service Book 474:4