I remember talking with a coworker one day before work began. As we visited, I never thought that he would be in eternity before lunch time. Later that morning, my friend would go home and die of a heart attack as he entered his house. Suddenly, the importance of Jesus in my life took on more importance. We can get so caught up in the world that we forget that our life is only temporary. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. If we do know Jesus as our Savior, not even death can interrupt our relationship with Him. Nor can death interrupt our destiny of heaven.
In our story, Lazarus has died. Jesus travels to Bethany to see his sisters Mary and Martha.
17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” [1] John 11:17-26.
When we are alive, we have a tendency to think this life will go on forever, even though we know that is not true. When a loved one passes into eternity, we must take a look in our own mirror and ask the question, “Where will I go when I die?” Suddenly, reality begins to set in.
Where will you go when you die? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? This may be the most important question of your life. To know Jesus as Savior gives us hope in this lifetime and the time to come. To know Jesus as our Savior and to step into eternity means stepping into heaven itself with all its splendor.
Consider saying this prayer out loud right now: “Dear God, I want to be a part of your family. You said in Your Word that if I acknowledge that You raised Jesus from the dead, and that I accept Him as my Lord and Savior, I would be saved. So, God, I now say that I believe You raised Jesus from the dead and that He is alive and well. I accept Him now as my personal Lord and Savior. I accept my salvation from sin right now.
I am now saved. Jesus is my Lord. Jesus is my Savior. Thank you, Father God, for forgiving me, saving me, and giving me eternal life with You. Amen!”
Listen here to hear the whole story of Lazarus: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-the-divine-intruder/the-divine-intruder-and-lazarus
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 11:17–26). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.