When I See Jesus

One thing certain about life is that we must leave it. The valley of the shadow of death is the longest valley in the world. It began with Adam and has continued through six thousand years of human history. Men like to postpone that dreadful moment when they must pass through the dark valley, but death underscores each life and refuses to accept the person of any man. Death does not take into account whether we have been profitable or detrimental to society. Every step that we take brings us nearer to the grave, and it is but a matter of time until we must bid farewell to every earthly tie. With all of the wisdom of the medical profession and the use of scientific discoveries, we must agree with the wise preacher of old who said; For the living know that they shall die (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

While our faith is not to be based upon our feelings, neither should it be divorced from our emotions.

It is said that when Socrates, the renowned Greek Philosopher, drank the poison hemlock and lay down to die, he was asked by his friends, Shall we live again? The reply of the dying philosopher was, I hope so, but no man can know.

In Job 14:14, Job asked the same question, Shall we live again; and the answer he gave, was much different than the answer Socrates gave. Socrates hoped that he would live again. Job said that he knew he would live again. Socrates faced death with anxiety. Job faced death with assurance. Socrates was uncertain that he would live again. Job was certain that he would live again.

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

1 John 5:11-13 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.

Three things as hurry to a close: When we see Jesus:

HIS RESURRECTION,

I. The First Promise to Christians is that We Dont have to Fear Death. Jesus said Dont let your hearts be troubled. Trouble comes from the fear of the unknown. We are troubled when we dont know what is going to happen when we die, but Jesus has taken the fear out of dying. Jesus, through his resurrection, has conquered the grave and death so there needs to be no fear in our eternal future. Rev 1:17-18 Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.