Cancer Blog #41
By Brian Zimmerman
Begun on July 31, 2021
Email: dyingman1@yahoo.com
My Dying Words
Entry #41 – Death and Resurrection (part 1 of many)
May 22, 2022
[John 11:25-26 NASB95] 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
When you are given that terminal diagnosis, what will go through your mind? Will you think that this is final and complete end? That there is no hope? These words of Jesus should fill and reassure your heart and mind.
The Lord of life in these words has given you the hope that the so-called terminal diagnosis is not the end. Your death will not be terminal in the most important sense. Though you may die, yet shall you live. Don’t be frightened, as if this pronouncement was the final conclusion of all you could ever expect. You have a new life awaiting. You don’t have to be afraid. Jesus died and was raised for the primary purpose that you might then and there have hope. When you receive that pronouncement of death, that terminal diagnosis, that is when your faith will grow and expand to receive the hope that our Savior offers. You will die in this life to be sure, just as everyone will. But, the difference is that your death is not eternal as is the death of the unbeliever. You die that you might finally receive life immortal. That eternal life, that eternal hope is without question our greatest joy and comfort. You won’t at that moment be reassured by your bank account, your looks, or your job success. You’ll see at that moment what their true value is. Instead, hold onto that hope of eternal life, look to that joy that Jesus has promised. If He was raised then you will be also; if He has eternal life, then so will you. If you truly believe the words that He spoke in John 11, then you should see that your life and especially your death will open up the greatest difference between you and your unbelieving neighbors and co-workers and acquaintances. You have every expectation of a having another life when this one ends. Your greatest time of happiness is about to begin. Embrace that hope and rejoice in it. Let all those around you see it in your face, in your speech, in your behavior. Turn loose of your concern for merely yourself, and make the needs of others your primary focus. You can finally afford to!
The most important question you will ever answer will be the one Jesus poses at the end of vs 26: “…everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Well, do you?
Next: Death and Its Relation to Joy