Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Lent 2018 | Page 62

Our Present Reality in Jesus
Saturday, April 7th
John 11:25-26
It’s completely natural to grieve those who die. If the person died years ago or just a couple of days
ago, so often the grief is real. If you thought about it long enough the tears would probably still stream
down your face. The sadness doesn’t completely go away, it just lessens. Grief like that is natural
because the person isn’t around anymore. We won’t see them again in this life. That brings sadness,
hurt, and even frustration.
Those are all natural feelings for something that isn’t natural. Death isn’t natural. It’s just been
happening for so long it feels that way. Death isn’t a part of the life cycle. It’s an intrusion on the life
God intended. It’s not some wonderful finish, a beautiful thing, or something sweet and precious.
Don’t let the enemy fool you. Sin entered the world and that resulted in death being in the world. It’s
an ugly addition to life that’s worthy of grief.
Jesus never told Martha he was preparing to perform a resurrection. But Jesus certainly didn’t just
cover over grief with promises of resurrection. He’s much more powerful than that. Jesus declared
himself to be The Resurrection. Martha’s brother who died believing in Jesus believed in the one who
was the triumph and victory over death. Jesus spoke and death changed from a permanent loss into a
triumphant gain for everyone who believes in him.
The present reality because of the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead is yours too. Death will be
a sleep. People come out of sleep, it’s temporary. Hear the Resurrection speak. Hear Jesus in his
Word. Trust him in the Spirit. Live and believe in him. Death won’t touch you, it can’t, the
Resurrection promised it. You will only pass through death, and because of the resurrection from the
dead, you will hear the voice of your Savior welcoming you home to heaven.
Prayer: Jesus you are the resurrection and the life. What you accomplished means that for me and all
those who die trusting in you, our death need not make us afraid. Make us confident of that when we
have reason to grieve those who die. Help us always remember your victory over death is our victory.
Amen.
Activity: Make a list of all those you know who died in the last year. For all those who died in faith
consider how their life is a lesson in faith for you. For those who didn’t have faith let their death serve
as motivation to speak to others about Jesus with more eagerness.
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