It is disheartening to hear news of illness and death of loved ones. Even Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus. Illness, suffering and death are part of life here on earth but we are not without hope. Even if it might look like Good Friday ended every good thing it is not so. Even though it might look like the tomb is the end of everything it is not so. Even if it might look so that dead is the end it is not so.

Jesus said to her [Martha], “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?” (John 11:25-26, NIV)

Jesus did what he was sent to do. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He finished here on earth what needed to be done so we could gain an eternal life with Father. But the death of Jesus is not the end. The tomb is not the end. Because God our Father raised him up! Jesus conquered the death! Whoever believes in Jesus will live forever. The tomb is not the end, it is a stepping stone to eternity. Death is not the end, it is the beginning of new eternal life. Not just for Jesus but for everyone who believes in Jesus! It is indeed disheartening to hear news of illness and death of loved ones. But it is not the end! We will meet at Jesus’ feet!

Do you believe this? Then, by the grace of God, live like it! Put your faith in practice! Share the joy of resurrection! The tomb is not the end! There is hope! There is life! There is light!

 

Gracious God,
Thank you that the tomb is not the end.
Thank you for conquering the death.
Thank you for preparing the way back to you.
Empower us to live the resurrection life!
Be praised for ever and ever!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What God has been teaching you this season of Lent?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you begin to grasp what the free life in Jesus means!

Photo courtesy of Joel Milhouse