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Saddened by Death's Sting

We lost a neighbor during the night. He died of complications from dengue fever. He was a beloved man and a very kind person. He knew my name and always called out, "Good Morning Michael!" often through a toothless smile. But he was good with names. 

When such a man dies he leaves a hole in the heart of those who knew and loved him. He and his wife were very religious people. They had pictures of Mary and rosary beads hung in a special place in their humble dining room. They were involved in their church and in charity work as well. 

I shared a short text from John 11 with his daughter this morning as she wept her loss. The verse I read was this, John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die..." Isn't this what we need to know when we stand near death or near one who has died? 

Jesus said, "I am..." God's Great and powerful name. Moses was to use it to tell the people who had sent him. In the "I am" there is all confidence and hope. 

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life..." He could have stopped with the "resurrection" couldn't he? That would have been enough. But he didn't. He is also "the life" . A resurrection without life afterward is not to be desired. Jesus the "I am" is the "resurrection and the life" He gives life and also sustains it eternally. 

Jesus said, "The one who believes in me will live, even though they die..." 
What is our greatest need? It is not a vaccination against something that is already mutating into something worse. What we need is to believe in the eternal God and his eternally resurrected son Jesus Christ. In him alone can we have hope. 

Another friend of mine died a couple of days ago. He was a believer in this Jesus. He stepped from his worn out body and into the presence of the Lamb of God who sets on his throne in glory. He stepped into a position of strength and eternal vigor. My friend stepped into the open arms of a pierced Savior who was more than happy to welcome him. 

Jesus is the resurrection and the life, he that believes in him lives even when he dies. This brings peace and comfort to those mourning souls who feel that hole in their hearts that comes with death's sting. 

Believe in Jesus. 
You will live. 

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