See you soon...
READ: John 11:21-27
Have you ever had a close friend or relative get sick and die within a short period of time? My family had to deal with that situation a few years back. A friend of the family was diagnosed with cancer, and it was spreading through his body. Within a few short months he was in the hospital and was very ill. We visited him often and helped out the family as much as we could. He had a 2-year-old son, a 4-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old daughter and a loving wife.
My family and I had just gotten back from a short trip when we were told that our friend had gotten even sicker. They weren’t sure how much longer he could hold on. My father rushed to the hospital immediately to be by his side. After he had been there for about a half hour, he saw the worst thing a human could ever see - his friend’s last breath. We were all sad when we heard the news: first of all because we would never see him again on earth, and secondly because he left his family behind. But, we all knew deep in our hearts that he was truly only "sleeping."
It was a comfort knowing that we would see him again in heaven. John 11:12 says, "Jesus said to her, "your brother will rise again.'" It is the promise of the resurrection that gives us courage when a loved one dies. God will always be with us, and will take care of any friends or relatives that have passed from this life until we are reunited again with them in heaven.
No matter who we might happen to lose during our life on earth, we have the assurance from Jesus himself that all who believe in him will be taken to heaven. As believers, we know that we will see them again in heaven where there is no sickness or death.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Are we going to see everyone we know in heaven? How do we know that we are going to heaven? Are the people in heaven going to be the same as they were on earth?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for the Resurrection and its many proofs in Scripture. Ask God for courage as we witness and befriend.