Death and sleep analogy
Scripture reading for April 21: John 11
“After saying these things, He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him. So Thomas, called the twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” John 11:11-14
The world has many views of death and what happens when someone dies. Every person knows that they will die and there is a universal fear of death because of the understanding that God places in each human heart. Every person is aware of eternity and eternal life. Each person is aware of the judgment that they will face upon leaving this earth. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God has placed eternity in man’s heart. Hebrews 9:27 states that man is appointed once to die and after that comes the judgment. There is a fear of punishment in each heart, because all have sinned and have guilt and accountability before God. (Psalm 53:1-3) The soul that sins will die.
To His disciples, Jesus stated that His friend Lazarus had fallen asleep. Jesus knew that he had died but He also knew God’s divine purpose and what the Father was going to demonstrated to His disciples. Death for the believer is like his body being asleep. It rests in the grave awaiting the resurrection. At the resurrection, Jesus taught, the dead would hear the voice of God and those that hear (His sheep) will live. They would enjoy eternal life and not come into judgment. (John 5:24-25) Thomas, one of the disciples, evidently did not understand what Jesus had just said. He followed Jesus expecting death!
What is your world view concerning death and what happens to those who believe in Jesus? Does this account of Jesus raising Lazarus from death after four days stretch your faith? Can you identify with the world view of Thomas: Let’s follow Jesus and die with Him?
Prayer: Father God, As I have recently faced the death of one of my godly friends, this view of a temporary sleep is comforting to me. I am thankful that my life is in Your hands and the hands of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Help me to follow Jesus today and view life as opportunity and death as gain. Amen.
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