When Death Becomes Us, the Lord Rescues Us
As we age, we face the reality of our own mortality. Our aches and pains increase as our flexibility and mobility decrease.
Even more sobering is the frequency of deaths among family, friends, and acquaintances in our age group. In just the last few weeks, each of the three congregations I have had the privilege of serving, as well as the church I attended for more than 20 years, has lost a longtime member.
When a fellow believer with whom one has developed a lasting relationship passes, there is considerable sadness, but because of our faith we can work through our grief and eventually find joy as we celebrate their legacy and rejoice in their entry into God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
In the Gospel of John (5:24), Jesus proclaims, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.“
Later in that same Gospel (John 11:25-26), Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
That’s good news for those of us who believe, but what about those who don’t? Well, because life is so temporal, and the longtime stakes so high, it is essential that we not only affirm our faith but also share our testimony with others, so that they, too, will have an opportunity to come to the Lord.
We can encourage and influence others through passages from Scripture, including this from Joshua 1:9, which states, “Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.“
Indeed, we have nothing to fear because, as Isaiah 25:8 says, “He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.“
So, regardless of our age, we are to rejoice in the glory of the Lord. Therefore, we can live life to the fullest, actively share the Good News with others, and be prepared when He calls us home.