Of the many gifts which God pours out on his people as a result of the Resurrection, the reality that those who place their trust in Jesus need not fear death is at the same time one of the most mysterious and one of the most palpable.
We don’t know what will happen when we die. That is a mystery. We can’t begin to imagine what it will be like. All we can do is place our trust in the promise of Jesus, who said:
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”—John 11:25 (NIV)
Yet even though our existence after we have broken free of these earthly bonds is a mystery, the reality of that existence is something that still impacts in the here and now. It provides hope whenever we find ourselves brushing up against the veil between this world and the next, whenever we are touched by physical death and are confronted with the truth that “…we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow.” (Job 8:9, ESV)
The past couple of years have been a painful reminder of our mortality, and not only because of a pandemic. Even as I type these words there is breaking news of more lives cut short by violence. Death is all around us, and we are all touched by it in some way. Sometimes it seems to much to bear. Because it is.
But then just when I think the weight of it all will crush me, I find myself before the one who experienced death, and yet lives. The man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, who willingly went to the grave for us, then returned for us. The one who, even as he himself was dying on the cross, turned to a thief who expressed faith and declared, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43, ESV).
Do you hear the certainty in his voice? Can you sense the assurance in his eyes as he tells a repentant sinner that death will not banish his soul to darkness?
We need to hear that certainty today, to sense that assurance once again. In part, because as followers of Christ, imbued with hope, we can provide a message this hurting world so desperately needs to hear.
But we also need to hear it for ourselves. There are times we need to simply cling to the promise that this is not the end. That those who trust in Jesus, though they lie down in death, will rise with him in new and everlasting life. There is sadness in the moment of goodbye, but there is an enduring promise of reunion in eternity with Christ.
Jesus conquered the grave so that we no longer need fear it. Today may the truth of that victory sink deep into our souls. We need it more than ever.
Comfort for the weary drying every tear
Redeeming every moment and all that's broken here
Clinging to the promise that we will rise with Him
This is not the end
This is not the end
Here is a word from songwriter Aaron Shust about today’s song:
“I began writing this song when my Uncle was slipping from this life into the next. The Bible says that when we lose someone in the Family of God, we don't grieve like the ones who have no hope. We do grieve, but our grief is temporary. I'm so grateful for our Hope: our Confidence. This song is intended to allow the listener to grieve: to experience the pain and loss. But also to cling to the promise that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him has hope for eternal life.”—Aaron Shust
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) Spend some time sitting in God’s presence reflecting on his promise of eternal life. What prayers do you find welling up in your soul as you think about it? Offer to him your ongoing need for hope in a broken and mortal world.
2) Even though we do not weep like those who have no hope, we still weep as we experience the hurt and grief of this mortal life. How do you invite God into your moments of grief and loss?
3) There are many wonderful songs that speak to us about the hope of eternal life with Jesus. Here are a few. What songs and hymns have ministered to you in seasons of loss? If one in particular stands out, feel free to post it in the comments for today’s devotional.
4) Billy Graham once said, “Heaven doesn’t make this life less important; it makes it more important.” What does that quote say to you? How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to respond to it?
5) Read and reflect on this passage of Scripture. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”—Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)