How can we apply Jesus' perspective on death to our daily lives? Setting the Scene in Bethany “Jesus had been speaking about his death, but they thought that He was talking about actual sleep.” (John 11:13) The disciples were bewildered. Lazarus was gone, yet Jesus chose the gentle word sleep. That choice is our doorway into His mind on death. Why Jesus Calls Death “Sleep” • Sleep is temporary—so is the believer’s death (John 11:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). • Sleep anticipates waking—so the body will rise at His call (John 5:28-29). • Sleep occurs in safety—Christ has already “destroyed the one who has the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). What This Perspective Means for Us Hope replaces fear • “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25-26). • Because He lives, we face death unafraid, echoing Psalm 23:4. Grief gains balance • We “do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). • Tears are honest, but despair is unnecessary. Purpose gets sharpened • “Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). • Each day counts eternally, so procrastination loses its appeal. Daily Practices That Anchor Us in Jesus’ View of Death 1. Start the morning by recalling eternity – Read a verse such as 2 Corinthians 5:8 and thank Him that “absent from the body” means “at home with the Lord.” 2. Speak resurrection truth at funerals and hospital bedsides – Instead of clichés, use Scripture: “He will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4). 3. Re-label your anxieties – When fear of death surfaces, whisper, “It’s only sleep,” and hand the worry to the One who wakes the dead. 4. Invest in people, not merely possessions – Matthew 6:19-20 reminds us that treasures in heaven never decay. 5. Share the gospel plainly – Jude 22-23 urges us to “snatch others from the fire.” Eternal realities make evangelism urgent, not optional. Comforting Others with Jesus’ Words • Listen first—Job’s friends erred by rushing to speak. • Then offer concise, hope-laden verses (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). • Follow up with practical help: meals, errands, presence. Love verifies the message. Living Today in Light of Forever Death is not a period; it’s a comma. Jesus’ vocabulary proves it. Viewing every breath through that lens fills ordinary moments with courage, steadies us in sorrow, and fuels a life that shouts, “Christ is risen, and so shall we.” |
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