Written by Netisha Alie-Grant
(Author of Inspirational Book Walking a Two-Way Street)
We tend to live fearlessly until every once in a while death comes around to remind us that we are not immortal and unless Jesus comes back now, death will come.
A day or two ago I sat and looked at a cemetery across the road and thought, "hey maybe living next to a cemetery isn’t such a bad thing." It gave me a fresh perspective of the idea. Seeing a cemetery while you go on living is a good reminder, like the many bodies there, of the possible fate you’ll eventually have. Maybe in doing so, one won’t forget to live like they cannot die and be a bit more humble. Perhaps they’ll live a little less selfishly and above others considering that the ground is reserved for no specific status.
Death, how can one find comfort in such a ‘dreadful’ experience for humans? Some are living and praying to die, believing it will be the ending to their hurt or suffering. Others fear the very idea of it and some, shrug at it as just something that happens just like growing up. -Naturally! Yet when this occurs, especially to someone you love, it plays strongly on the strings of your emotions, as if the world stops turning and finding the hope to even keep on living can be a luxury. Where can those who are left behind to continue the race of life begin again after a fellow ‘runner’ has fallen?
Jesus the greatest man who ever lived, came into this world to die. In His death came a new beginning where His spirit was released from His flesh and reconciled with the Father. In John 12:20 - 35 Jesus predicts His death to His disciples and says to them in verse 24. "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces MANY seeds." NIV What was Jesus saying about death using this very apparent example that we all experience? He knew that as long as He was still in human form he could only be with some of His brothers and sisters at a time but in dying, He would be opening the doorway to give every human a chance to experience Him no matter where we are, all at once. He confirms that in verse 32. saying "when I be lifted up from this earth I will draw ALL men onto me..."
Looking at death from Jesus' experience is a way to find comfort in the whole thing.Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 says to rejoice in death and cry at birth. 2. that ...'death is the destiny of everyone." NIV Revelation 21:1 - 8 describes a New Heaven and a New Earth. The author gives a vivid description of what it will be like. Verse 2 "...I saw a Holy City, ...prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband," and God will be with His chosen people. -verse 4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the OLD order of things has passed away." Isn't that amazing news?
This death is our doorway to the beautiful after life, we can enjoy life on earth as Jesus came so we can have it in abundance, but because of sin, death roams this earth and it will pass away. Yet hope remains for those in Christ Jesus. This is a Hope that many of us can hold on to today when we lose a love in Christ Jesus, for those who die in Christ are considered asleep and so we, knowing that Jesus died and rose again,..."even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Such a great victory over the grave!
I recently had a friend who lost his mom to dreadful cancer, and his comment expressed 'even though we fasted and prayed, God give and he takes... and we truly find comfort in knowing you are in a better place...' Death is obviously difficult for us. Losing someone you love isn't easy, but if you knew, like my friend did, that they died in Christ then you need not 'grieve as the rest with no hope..." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The question I leave us all with is this: Some will taste death while some will not before Christ's return, either way, are we preparing to transition in Christ? How we die, In Christ or in sin will make the difference.
John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her; "I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me, shall never die. Do you believe this?"
May the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace!
Comforting Verses about death: 1 corinthians 15:51:57, Romans 8:38-39 and John 11:25-26
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