The Breath of Life

It’s been called the kiss of life. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was first introduced as a way to save lives in the 1950s, though William Hawes, an English physician, publicized this method back in 1773. These “rescue breaths” mechanically force air into a person’s lungs, often bringing people back from the brink of death.

The reference to “the breath of life from God” in today’s text is reminiscent of Creation, when “the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Only divine power can resurrect a dead person.

And have you noticed the continued parallels, beginning with yesterday’s verse, to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

The literary Word lay dead in the streets for three-and-a-half prophetic days; the living Word was buried for three days. The literary Word then came to life again; the living Word likewise was resurrected. What is plainer proof that the Word of God will never perish? “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Luke 21:33).

Recall from Revelation 11:9 that after the exact prophesied time, the French government changed its stance against religion and permitted Christianity to be practiced once more. This resurrection of the Scriptures followed this dark period with the invention of the printing press and the great work of reformers like William Tyndale, who translated the Bible into English. At the end of the eighteenth century, great missionary movements also began to spread the gospel to India, China, Burma, and beyond, giving new life to those “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

What a shock it must have been to see the sudden turn of events that propelled the Scriptures to be spread around the globe. In like manner, the soldiers on the morning of Christ’s resurrection fell “like dead men” (Matthew 28:4) upon seeing the angel roll “back the stone” (v. 2) to reveal the empty tomb. Scripture reveals that the wicked will also experience a similar terror at the Lord’s second coming (Revelation 6:15, 16).

Heavenly Father, as I study Your Word, may the same power that resurrected Christ from the dead work in my heart.

For Further Study: Mark 16:15; Romans 8:11; 2 Timothy 3:16

Key Bible Texts

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (Revelation 11:11 KJV)