DEVOTION – DAY 379

Devotion, 14 Sept 2023

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus told one of his followers, Martha, that He gives resurrection and life. Those who call on Him and their Lord and Savior will be identified with Him. By saying He is the resurrection and the life, Jesus meant that His nature is such that final death is impossible for Him. That is why Jesus can say that those who believe in Him will never die because Jesus gives life to believers so that death will never triumph over them. They may die physically but spiritually, they will live forever with Him. Also, the Lord promises that one day, He will resurrect those who have physically die. Death is never the end for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many people fear death. The thought of dying and leaving one’s loved ones and possessions behind is terrifying for many people. Some are so superstitious that they would want to avoid all mention of death or dying, as if talking about the matter would somehow hasten death in their lives. But if anyone was to believe in Jesus that He is the resurrection and the life, if he or she believed in Him as his or her Lord and Savior, they would never die. There would be no need to fear death.

Someone once told me that she was nursing her mother who was terminally ill in hospital. Her mother would have interrupted sleep. Her mother was also fearful of death. Her mother thought she saw visions of demons waiting for her to die. This woman told her daughter what she thought she saw, but her daughter could see nothing. But what her mother said stuck in her mind. Years later, as she aged, she thought about death. She realized she did not want to suffer the same experience that her mother went through, to live in fear of death. So, she turned to Jesus and believed in Him as her Lord and Savior. This gave her a sense of great peace. When it was time for her to die, there was no fear, only peace. There were no visions of demons waiting for her. There was no prolonged pain and suffering. There were no regrets. This was because she had found resurrection and life in Christ.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you are Sovereign and powerful. You have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him as their Lord and Savior, they will have eternal life, they will be resurrected one day. We pray that as many people as possible, may have a chance to hear the gospel message so that they can believe in Jesus, for He truly is the resurrection and the life. We humbly pray in the matchless name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Since no one can escape death, how do you view death? Do you fear it, avoid it at all costs, or have you conquered your fears about it? Discuss.
  2. Why do people fear death?
  3. How does these verses give you peace and comfort about death? Discuss.
  4. Who do you know have fears about death? How can you help them to over-come their fears about death? Share.