Devotion Corner
John 11:12-13 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking rest in sleep.
Death is a terrible fact of life that will come to us all. As one saying puts it, ‘Life isn’t a game, it’s serious. No one gets out alive!’ Such sayings reflect how humanity has invented ways to try and cope with the bitter sting of death. Whether that be by refusing to acknowledge it, or by making it a thing to joke about, we all clumsily attempt to make the last enemy less fearsome.
Yet in the words of Jesus, we have the most profound way of meeting death. It is a way that is afforded all those who believe on Him as their Lord and Saviour. For those who die in faith, they merely ‘fall asleep’. Their spirits are very much alive, as their immortal souls ascend to heavenly glory. They leave their bodies behind for a short while in the eyes of eternity, as it ‘sleeps’ in the ground that is the grave. Here, it awaits that happy day when Christ shall awaken those bodies of the redeemed. Then, at long last, we will have a glorified body to unite with our redeemed souls and quickened spirits!
To those who are close to going home to glory, how wonderful are these words of Christ Jesus. They speak to the heart of the peaceful slipping away to heavenly peace, like the happy entry to a night of blissful rest. This peace of heaven is soon to be your triumphant entry to glory!
To those who are mourning the loss of loved one who truly loved the Lord Jesus; know that though their body sleeps in the grave you visit, they are more alive now in glory than they ever were in this sinful world!
To those who are fast approaching the final closing of the eyes, with no knowledge of Christ Jesus, cry out this day to Him for forgiveness of your sins! Call on Him to be your Saviour and believe that as He lives, so soon shall you!
To those who walk heavily, believing that their departed loved one does not now dwell in Heaven, take heart. Remember that many a heart has been reborn in the last moments of mortal breath. There will be many surprises as to who resides in Heaven! Take heart also, that if that loved one does not now dwell in glory, know that they would implore you to turn to faith in Christ this hour! Know also, that the pain you feel now in that loss, Christ Jesus will heal fully in eternity. For He is the one who holds all power and peace within His nail pierced hands.
