November 9 - Never Die

So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. John 11:17-29 

These red letter words are important words. Jesus said…"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" He’s asking you the same thing He asked Martha…Do you believe that He is the resurrection and the life? He is the one who gives eternal life. So many people are afraid to die…but they are not clamoring to get into church and meet Jesus so that they can live forever. What is wrong with this picture—how do people get to Jesus…and how does He get to them? I’ve known about Jesus since I was at least four years old—I have memories of Sunday School that go back that far, but I was in college before I really knew Him and “accepted” Jesus as my personal savior, as thus was “born again.”

 

We shouldn’t be afraid to die. Heaven is going to be a wonderful place…and those of us who know Jesus are promised that we will go to be with Him one day. Jesus said to one of the thieves crucified with Him, “today you will be with me in Paradise.” Since God’s timing and our timing are not the same, it could be that we will actually get to go to Heaven the day we die…or else “sleep” and wait until Jesus returns for us. Either way we don’t have to be afraid to die. The hard part if for those left behind after their loved ones have gone one ahead of them. There are lots of books and stories about people going to heaven and returning to tell others how wonderful heaven is going to be. Those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior are the ones that need to be afraid to die. They will be judged, found guilty of their sins, and will be cast into the eternal damnation—the Lake of Fire. If you don’t believe me read Revelation 20:11-15. I personally look forward to a feast in Heaven with Jesus—and eternity with Him. Feast on Jesus’ red letter words—savor them and believe. 

Prayer for today—Jesus, like Martha, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, our Messiah. I eagerly await Your return.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).