Cancer Blog #38
By Brian Zimmerman
Begun on July 31, 2021
Email: dyingman1@yahoo.com
My Dying Words
Entry #38 – Death and Resurrection
May 19, 2022
[John 16:20 NASB95] 20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.
Death usually means sorrow for those left behind. The world rejoices as it thinks that each death of a Christian is a victory. Death in their eyes has won, and there is no stopping it. Christians, then, are of all people most to be pitied. But, because of the resurrection, our sorrow will be turned into joy. Joy is the emotion we know when we believe that death has been completely and finally defeated. Rejoicing, though falsely, is for the world because it believes we have been deceived, and that death has conquered us. The real issue is as Paul stated it in 1 Corinthians 15: has Jesus been raised or not? If not, then our faith is futile; we are doomed; we have no hope, no expectation that life will extend beyond the grave. We will come to death if we have that belief, with the greatest fear and sorrow. But, if Jesus has been raised, then all our hopes have been realized, and we can believe that death has truly been defeated.
And, that is the difference ultimately between the world and us. They rejoice in our sorrow; we find joy in our hope of the resurrection. So, when we are finally made aware of our terminal diagnosis, we may be initially surprised, caught off guard, but we are not fearful and sorrowful though we know that our end is near. Our joy is in knowing that Christ has been raised and us with Him. We believe that we will be raised and will enter a life like His: no sorrow, no pain, no suffering. We will live forever in that joy of resurrection, knowing that we will be forever blessed.
So, as a Christian, what will your response be to your diagnosis of impending death? Will you be frightened, failing to believe in Christ’s resurrection, or will you be full of joy because you believe in the resurrection of Christ, your hope, and the source of your joy? Be prepared even now, as sooner or later, you will hear that pronouncement: “You are going to die.” Bless Him and give Him thanks that you have such joy and hope even as unbelievers have no such joy or hope. They rejoice in death for us, but not for themselves, as we rejoice in our resurrection. When they see your joy and patience and kindness as you face death, they will recognize the difference between your view of death and theirs.
Don’t weep and lament as if you have no hope; have joy because you have the expectation that our Savior has been born again. He has been raised from the dead, as you will be. Your death doesn’t mean all is lost. Instead, it means all is gained. You have gained the hope of a new life, a life of joy without sorrow, pain, or suffering. They have their false rejoicing; you have the true one, true joy and gladness. Many of your brethren have trodden this same road. You will walk the same path as they have, sooner or later. Be prepared to imitate their faith and courage.
Next: A Long Dying May be a Blessing