One of the strongest and clearest proofs which Christ gave to prove that bodily resurrection was useless in changing the hearts of men can be found in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus wanted to make certain once and for all that everyone understood this point: that it was the Message of the Prophets which was important, and which brought new life, not a miracle such as resurrection. (108:1)

In His parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Christ declares that even the miracle of physical resurrection will not aid those who lack the capacity to hear and to follow the Messengers of God. (108:2)

The rich man from the depths of hell called upon Father Abraham to send a special messenger to his five brothers; lest, because of their disobedience to the laws of God, they too might be cast into hell. (108:3)

Abraham replied:
They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (108:4)

The rich man, according to this parable given by Christ, implored for something greater than words or teachings. He wanted a sign, a miracle to awaken his brothers. He said: (108:5)

Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. (108:6)

The answer, for all time, is recorded in Abraham’s reply: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.27 (108:7)

There could be no clearer statement of the unimportance of the physical return from the grave. Nor could there be stronger emphasis upon the importance of the words and teachings of the Messengers of God. This parable is from the words and teachings of Christ Himself upon the unimportance of resurrecting from the dead. He stressed that the spirit which the Prophets bring through their teachings can do more to aid humanity than any such outwardly astounding signs as "raising from the dead". (108:8)

The terms "life" and "death", Bahá'u'lláh tells us, refer to the "life" of faith and the "death" of unbelief. It is the spirit of faith and belief which brings about the resurrection. Just as we say that in the winter the world is dead, and remains so until the springtime comes to awaken and revive it. This, also, is resurrection. (108:9)

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