Death is something we try to think very little about and yet unless the Lord returns we will all go by the way of the grave. Death carries for most people the fear of what happens next and there is only one source that reveals the truth about life after death and that source is the Bible, Gods word.
Heb 9:27 says “It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment.” Death is something we all must face when our time comes but death need not be fearful for the one who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior for He died for our sins according to the scripture, he was buried and on the 3rd day He rose again according to the scriptures.
The Bible is clear on the subject of death and eternal life. In the 5th chapter of Johns gospel Jesus said “search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life and these are they which testify of me”
The scripture teaches it is wonderful to do good works but our good works can never earn us a place in heaven. Eph 2:8-9 says “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourself it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast”.
Everyone has to answer for themselves before God and it is not my place nor yours to judge. The Bible does say it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God and we should be prepared to meet God in this lifetime and not wait before it’s too late.
John 14:1-6 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Of all the passages of Scripture, of all the words of encouragement that Jesus gave, of all verses that lend comfort to the human heart this passage is one of the most beloved!
It is one of the most beloved because it gives the believer hope. Not only the hope of Christ return, not only the hope of heaven and everlasting life but the hope of peace and comfort for those who are going through times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
I like to think that Jesus had that Psalm in mind when He spoke these words to His disciples for He begins by saying “ Let not your heart be troubled”. Jesus doesn’t deny that trouble exist, He doesn’t say we should attempt to escape the reality that sometimes life is hard rather He gives reasons why we should take comfort.
The context of this passage is as follows, Jesus has been telling His disciples that He must leave them. He had told them on several occasions that He would be betrayed, arrest, tried and put to death. The disciples either didn’t believe or understand how this could possibly happen. Jesus was the Messiah! He was the Son of God, the Savior of Israel and indeed the Savior of all men from every tribe, tongue and nation! How could he be arrested and put to death? He was the King of Kings, He was to rule and reign a kingdom without end.
There were so many things His followers didn’t understand, for at this point they didn’t understand that Jesus had to die as an atonement for sin. They didn’t understand when He spoke of His departure into heaven where He would be seated at the right hand of God the Father. They didn’t understand that He would send the Holy Spirit to be their comforter, their guide and their helper. They didn’t understand all these things yet Jesus gives them one simple instruction “you believe in God, believe also in Me”.
Do you believe in God? Do you believe that Jesus is Gods only begotten Son? If not where do you place your trust? In yourself? In others? Where do you place your trust if not in God? If one says there is no God, no everlasting life on what basis do you have hope? Hope for what? If there is no God all man has is this: To eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die.
The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is if you have been saved by faith in Christ then this promise is for you, Jesus says “In My Fathers house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you”.
Jesus is the most influential man in human history. Even those who do not believe in Him as their Lord and Savior regard him as a great prophet, a good man, a wise and moral teacher. Well if a person really believes those things do we not all have to take Jesus at His word – God is His Father and in the Fathers house are many mansions, or dwelling places! Jesus speaks only the truth and He says that “if it were not so I would have told you”.
We’re not interested in telling people things just to make them feel better, we are determined to preach the truth of God! Jesus continues “. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Something everyone needs to realize is that the Bible isn’t just some religious text for people in general, Jesus isn’t speaking in general terms He is speaking in specific terms and most important He is speaking in personal terms. He has gone to prepare a place for you! In this chapter of the Gospel of John He is speaking to His disciples (yes) but by extension He is speaking to every individual who would place their personal trust in Him.
So what is this place? Where is this place? We may call it heaven, eternity, the Kingdom of God, whatever you call it one thing is clear, It is where the Lord dwells. I would like to read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which expands on Jesus words here in John 14.
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Some Theologians disagree on this passage, some call it the rapture of the church, others refer to it as the 2nd coming, that being said one thing is crystal clear – Jesus and the Apostles taught the Resurrection of body.
In the Old Testament book of Job, Job ask the question “If a man dies, shall he live again?” The answer that Christ gives us is a definitive YES! Job also states “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And after my skin is destroyed this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God”
How can we be assured of this? How can we be saved from sin and the wrath of God that is to come? Jesus told His disciples “YOU KNOW THE WAY”. Thomas one of the 12 Apostles responds by saying “HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?”
Maybe a few here are asking the same question. Thankfully the answer is simple. Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” For those who are in Christ we believe we shall see our brothers and sisters again in the place the Lord has prepared for His own. This is our hope, this is our faith and our confidence is in the Lord.
Funerals remind us of how short life is and how important it is to keep a right relationship with one another because once that person has slipped out into eternity you can never again tell them how much you love them or how much you appreciated all that they have done for you.
We should all tell those whom we love how much they mean to us while we have the opportunity. Life is too short and it is FAR to short to ever withhold forgiveness for those who have done us wrong. All of us have lost loved ones and it is never easy no matter how many years they were with us.
Thousands of years ago a shepherd who would become the king of Israel wrote a Psalm that has blessed countless hearts over the years and given peace and comfort to those who are suffering. The man was David and it is the 23rd Psalm.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
