by John Michalak
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
When someone we love dies, we often feel that we’ve died, too.
For a time at least, life loses its purpose, and we can’t imagine going on. If there is any comfort, it may only be in clinging to the hope that we will see them again.
In today’s verse, Jesus offers Martha a word of comfort on the death of her brother. She would see her brother again soon, as Jesus raised Lazarus that very same day. But His promise of resurrection would occur again at the end of days, granted to all who believe.
“Do you believe this?” Jesus asked Martha, but the same question could be posed to us.
Do you really trust that those who believe in Christ will live eternally, even if they die? It’s easy to say we believe, but that faith can be tested, especially when you lose someone you love.
If you’ve struggled with this, remember that while you can find comfort in the hope of seeing your loved one again, you should also hope for the day when you see Jesus for the very first time.
The key to eternal life is believing in Jesus. He’s alive even now and is waiting for the day He’ll see you, too.
Do I still live with the pain of losing someone I love? How does the truth that Jesus died so I could see my loved one again affect me?
Dear Jesus, I long for the day when I can see You face to face. I have lost the companionship of many people I love. I know You mourn with me as You mourned for Lazarus. The longer time lasts, the more people I may lose, but I will never lose You. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.