'death' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” vs. 27 Revelation 21:10, 21-27 As the book of Revelation draws to a close, its writer describes the holy city of Jerusalem as the center of God’s new creation. The vision brings to mind the great castles of Fantasyland, a place where there is no night, death will be no more, and everything is suffused…
Daily Devotions
…for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 17 Revelation 7:13-17 Even though death is a regular visitor on the journey of life, and every one of us will one day die, many people seem surprised when it comes near. Some seem to have never considered that it will happen to them.…
Daily Devotions
Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” vs. 4 Romans 6:3-11 For Paul the crucifixion of Jesus was the central part of the gospel, and as he pondered it through his life he realized that unless believers embraced Jesus’ death, their lives would likely remain unchanged. In fact he saw the…
Daily Devotions
Good Friday When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” vs. 30 John 18:1-19:42 Each of the gospel writers had different sources for their accounts and, as a result, their stories emphasize different aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry. It’s particularly interesting to see how each deals with his betrayal, trial, sentencing, and death. While the basic facts are the same, the details, as should be expected,…
Daily Devotions
When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” vs. 54 1 Corinthians 15:42-56 When death comes to a person of faith, and a funeral is held, there will always be some expressions of grief. That’s to be expected when a loved one dies–they’re going to be missed, so of course there are tears. But there will also be…
Daily Devotions
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” vs. 19 1 Corinthians 15:15-20 Some of us grew up believing that the whole point of having faith in Jesus was to insure that we would have eternal life when we die. There was great joy when, on their deathbeds, people would accept Jesus as their personal savior and receive the assurance of new life with him in heaven. When such…
Daily Devotions
Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.” vs. 34-35a Luke 21:20-36 The apocalyptic sayings of Jesus as recalled by Luke make reference to “the day of the Lord,” that moment when God would act in a decisive way to bring salvation to humanity. Jesus tells his disciples that they should be able to discern when that day…
Daily Devotions
The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’” vs. 44 John 11:41-44 What happened with Lazarus was not a resurrection–Lazarus emerged from the tomb, lived out his life with his sisters, and then died. Even so this story has touched our hearts like none other, and has been a favorite of Jesus followers for centuries. It shouts…
Daily Devotions
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.” vs. 33 John 11:32-39 When Lazarus died, his sisters and friends did for him according to the customs of their people. They washed his body, wrapped it in cloth, and then put it in a tomb. And then their friends came by the house with hot dishes and hugs–and they cried a lot! Only a few of…
Daily Devotions
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” vs. 2 Revelation 21:1-3 Apocalyptic writings emerge in times of fear and dread, those moments when nations are on the move and catastrophes loom. It should be no surprise then, that our age teems with apocalyptic thinking. A glance at the trailers of current movies shows a huge interest in science fiction (the new apocalyptic) and…
Daily Devotions
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.” vs. 8 Isaiah 25:8-9 Sometimes when death comes to a loved one, particularly after a long and painful illness, we’re surprised to feel an almost guilty sense of relief that the struggle is over. A burden has been lifted. Only later do the tears come. At other times, when…
Daily Devotions
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.” vs. 16 Psalm 91:14-16 Humans have always appreciated longevity, and the psalmist considered long life to be one of God’s choicest blessings. Most of us would agree, and do whatever we can to increase our years. We’re deeply aware that not everyone gets a chance to live long; some don’t survive infancy and too many fall prey to accident, war, or disease before they’ve even reached thirty. Knowing…