Have you gotten the news that you or someone you love has a terminal disease? In your grief, look to Jesus. As you navigate the journey ahead, call out to the One who has died your death and delivered you from the fear of what lies ahead (Psalm 18:28-36, Psalm 130:1-8).
Jesus loves you; He will carry you and those you love through this time of suffering (Isaiah 40:11). We might be frightened by disease and death, but when we look to Jesus, we see Him standing up for us, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore…” (Revelation 1:17-18).
Has someone you love died unexpectedly? Miscarriages, stillbirths, infant deaths, accidents, homicides, aneurysms, heart attacks, embolisms, and so much more take our loved ones from us suddenly every day. It is shocking and hard to accept such dramatic losses, but we can find comfort and courage in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To comfort and encourage the Thessalonians believers who were grieving the loss of their loved ones, Paul wrote, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Jesus has defeated death, and all who “fall asleep” in Him are escorted into eternity by their Bridegroom of eternal love and life. Speak this message of hope in Jesus’ death and resurrection to your heart, friend, and encourage others with it.
Grieving is hard, perplexing, and distressing work, but if we carry in our hearts and minds the death of Christ, then we will experience and see His resurrection life manifested in us. On the cross, Jesus was crushed and destroyed so that you would be made whole and held secure for eternity. Jesus intimately knows your grief; He will see you through it.
Look to Jesus now. See that He lowered Himself all the way to death on a criminal’s cross to lift you, dear believer, higher. He has taken you out of the kingdom of death and seated you in heavenly places. Death and sorrow cannot defeat you because Jesus has overcome them for you. Look to Jesus and allow His sacrificial love to comfort you and carry you through your time of loss.
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
Question: How does looking to Jesus' atoning death on the cross and His victorious resurrection encourage your heart when thinking of physical death?
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Gary writes, "By knowing that Jesus defeated death, through His death and resurrection, so that we would not have to die. Physical death is with our body. Spiritual death does not occur, because Jesus destroyed it for all who believe, and we go straight to glory with God for all of eternity."
Judy writes, "Dear Lord I pray that you help me to always keep my eyes focused on all that your son suffered for me that I may have salvation, and knowing that death is just the beginning of a new life, not the end. Help me to keep my trust in you in all of life and death. Amen."
Larry writes, "It basically eliminates the worry, the fear, the apprehension, the blindness and the doubt that comes with the evil of death and sin! Jesus defeated death and we can rest in His arms forever!"
Mike L. writes, "As a believer thinking about this brings such joy to my heart, I am so looking forward to seeing Jesus face to face, without anything holding me back from worshiping Him with my whole being! I long for the day that I will no longer have to battle sin, just pure love for my Savior. Thank you, Jesus, that You put the fear of death to death by rising from the grave!"