A L M A C I A S

IF WE DIE, SHALL WE LIVE AGAIN?

One of the saddest experiences that we all must face sooner or later is the death of a loved one. We shall all some day experience this in our own life, and there is no escaping that fact, unless we die first. The Scriptures offer much comfort to us through the inspired words of God. Throughout the Scriptures, we are able to find words that can bring consolation to all of us when we face such sad occasions. In the book of John, the Lord was once approached by some who had been sent from Mary and Martha, to tell the Lord that their brother Lazarus was grievously ill. When the Lord heard about his friend Lazarus, He told those sent that the sickness of Lazarus was not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby (John 11:4). Not only that, when the Lord heard about Lazarus being gravely ill, He did not go to heal him. The Lord reacted in this way because He viewed death in a very different way than most of those in the world. The way we deal with trials that come our way is very much affected by how we view things. Of course, the Lord knew, even at this time, that Lazarus would die because of his sickness; but He also knew that He would resurrect Lazarus from the dead and, as a result, many who would see this miracle would come to believe in Him and be saved from their sins.

When the Lord finally arrived at the house of Mary and Martha, Lazarus was already dead. As soon as Martha found out that the Lord had come, she immediately went to Him and somewhat blamed the Lord for her brother's death by saying that if the Lord had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Martha had not understood that there is no escape from death, that death is an appointment that none can cancel. But even more importantly, Martha should have remembered that death is not the end of all things for man ­ it is only the beginning. Death is only a change of residence for us until the resurrection comes. This is why the Lord said unto Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me shall never die." The day will come when all of the dead will rise, some unto eternal damnation, but others unto everlasting life. (John 5:29)