For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. (1 John 5:4 [ESV])
We, as Christians, have comfort after the death of a
Christian friend and relative. This comfort comes only by Jesus’ death and
resurrection and by His teaching about what will be after we die. For people
who are not Christians, they will have no hope or comfort during their illness
or on their deathbed because they have never believed Jesus is the Son of God. They
have no hope or victory over death. Death for non-Christians is eternal
separation from God. What hope is there to give to the loved ones left behind
after a non-Christians death? There is only one hope for these loved ones; they
can have hope for themselves of life beyond death with God in His kingdom if
they believe Jesus is the Son of God. As much as we grieve the loss of a person
who didn’t believe in Jesus, we still have hope to offer the ones left alive.
Jesus is the only comfort and consolation for grieving people, just as He is
the Comfort and Hope-giver for His disciples.
Today, tens of thousands of people around the world die from
COVID-19. Thousands of them died without knowing Jesus as the Son of God. We remain
behind to offer comfort to their friends and loved ones. The comfort we can
give them comes because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and greatly troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So, the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:33-36 [ESV])
Remember, Jesus cried at Lazarus’ grave. He didn’t cry
because He had no hope. He cried because of His empathy with His friends’, Mary
and Martha’s, grief. Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead to show He has power
over death. He waited until Lazarus was dead to give glory to the Father. Jesus
knew Mary, Martha, and Lazarus believed He is the Son of God, but other people
around them did not believe. He provided comfort to them by showing He is the
Son of God who has power over death when He brought Lazarus back to life. Jesus
provided comfort to the believers and the unbelievers. He gave hope, showed
love, grew the faith of the people who saw or heard about this happening, and
gave God the glory. Did more people believe Jesus is the Son of God because of Lazarus’
resurrection? We don’t know for sure, but we can know they probably thought about
it. I believe some could no longer doubt Jesus being the Son of God and came to
believe in Him for salvation. Did the believers who watched Jesus raise Lazarus
from the dead gain a deeper faith in Him because of this resurrection miracle?
Most definitely.
Think of two people you know who have lost a loved one
recently. Consider their relationship with God. Consider the dead person’s
relationship with Jesus. What comfort can you offer the person left behind?
Find out about their relationship with Jesus. Do they believe in Him? Offer the
lasting hope and peace found only through Jesus. Tell them about Him so He will
comfort them. Tell them about Him so they will believe in Him and receive
salvation and eternal life with God. Their belief in Jesus will give them hope,
peace, and comfort. Jesus’ Spirit will live in them to remind them of these and
to grow them to be like Jesus.
Do you love people
enough to tell them about Jesus?
Or do you hate
people so much you won’t tell them about Jesus and
withhold from them
comfort, peace, hope, and victory?
Tell people about Jesus. Allow them to receive salvation
from their sins and have perfect peace and victory over death.
Then Jesus told them (His disciples) plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” (John 11:14-15 [ESV])
Jesus said to her (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 [ESV])
Lord, God, I have become blind to other people and their
problems or grief during this time of social distancing and lockdown. It’s easy
not to see the grief of other people when the government leaders will not allow
us to be together. I cannot use that excuse. Forgive me for using that excuse.
Forgive me for getting wrapped up in myself and protecting my family. I should
focus more on You and Your will than on my safety and health. Please Lord, tell
me how to stay socially connected. Show me to whom You want me to talk, offer
comfort, and tell about You. Put Your mind and heart into me so I know to whom
to talk and what to say to comfort them. Help me listen as they grieve or fear
for their lives. Help me stay focused on You and speak Your words of consolation
and comfort. Help me not fear testifying about You, our Savior and Victor.
Lord, I am just a small cog in the universe, but You can use me for Your
purposes. I give my life to You. Make me hear Your voice and talk to people as
You direct. Amen.
