Life after death
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
I have said before that my role as a Pastor is varied. Last week was a good example of that. I met with a new person to our church, who shared their story of how God had led them to us, which was really interesting.
On another day I spoke at a local school’s Harvest Festival on the theme of trees. I had different fruit in bags and asked some children to guess what they were by feeling them. I spoke about God’s wonderful variety of trees and their fruit!
I also had various meetings including one to plan for our Advent Service. It was energizing to see how we can be creative and reflective as we head towards Christmas.
The most poignant thing was visiting one of our long-standing members in hospital who was dying. We shared a few moments alone together. As I prayed, they said they were not afraid of death, as they were going to be with Jesus. The next day, they passed away.
In sitting with the family later in the week, we reflected that even though their loved one was no longer here, that they had changed locations and was very much alive. This is because of what Jesus said…
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
Jesus said this when he brought back to life a man called Lazarus. Not long after that, Jesus himself was killed, by brutal crucifixion, and then was raised back to life a few days later.
The Bible says that a short while after Jesus’ resurrection, he returned to heaven where he still lives today. These remarkable ‘death defying’ events speak of a hope and certainty about a future with God for those who believe in Him. In other words, death is just a doorway from this life into eternity.
I have taken many funerals. There is always sadness at the loss of a loved one. Over the years, I have observed a difference between a funeral of a Christian (believer) and someone who was not.
In my experience, a Christian funeral has a sense of hope and even joy that the person is in heaven. Whereas the other is hope-less and carry’s a sense of finality.
If you are fearful of death, or maybe have questions about the afterlife, let me encourage you to read what Jesus says about in the Bible, or contact a local Christian church.
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader