16 Feb 2021
Recently, the subject of death is in the headlines. Several young people died in a tragic road accident. A death of a sister in Christ; the death of some of my patients, the death of so many millions in the world from the covid-19 virus, disasters and calamities – all these bring to mind how believers look at death.
“After saying these things, He said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him'” (John 11:11).
The comments by the late servant of God, J.C. Ryle, are so refreshing.
“Every true Christian has a Friend in heaven, of almighty power and boundless love. He is thought of, cared for and provided for, defended by God’s eternal Son. He has an unfailing Protector, who never slumbers or sleeps, and watches continually over his interests.. The world may despise him, but he has no cause to be ashamed. Father and mother even may cast him out, but Christ having once taken him up will never let him go.. He is the ‘friend of Christ’ even after he is dead!…the friendship of the Son of God is stronger than death, and goes beyond the grave.
..The death of true Christians is ‘sleep’, and not annihilation. It is a solemn and miraculous change, no doubt, but not a change to be regarded with alarm…Christians have nothing to fear for their bodies in the change: they will rise again by and by, refreshed and renewed, after the image of the Lord. The grave itself is a conquered enemy It must render back its tenants safe and sound, the very moment that Christ calls for them at the last day…Let us never forget that the grave is the place where the Lord HImself lay, and that as He rose again triumphant from that cold bed, so also shall all His people”.
When we think of death, the state of our own souls should always be our first concern. Real Christianity always will begin at home; the believer must always think first of his own heart, his own life, his own sins. Are we ready if death comes to us? Are my sins forgiven and have I repented of my own transgressions? Let us take a kind interest in all around us; let us feel tender compassion for all who suffer violence or are removed by sudden death. But let us never forget to look at home, at our own hearts and our own lives in the face of impending death. Will death be a new beginning for us in Christ or will be a time of regret and remorse?