DEATH FOR A CHRISTIAN
06th Aug 2025
2 Corinthians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”
Death for a Christian is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new phase of life. When Jesus rose from the dead, He triumphed over death, and because He is living and alive in those who love and trust Him, we have hope rather than despair.
We have attended many funerals this year, and this week we will gather with friends and family to celebrate the life of a young man who has battled cancer for the past six years. The medics, on several occasions, expected his imminent death, but his family and friends exercised faith to see him healed and whole. Last week, we received news of his passing.
For him, it is the release from all pain and physical suffering, but for those close to him, it is a different story, and the loss is felt deeply. Jesus said God would comfort those who mourn. As we have prayed for the immediate family, asking God for His comfort and help, I found myself excited, convinced that God loved each one of them with His powerful love and would reveal Himself to them in new ways that would bring healing and hope.
Two scriptures, which were part of my daily Bible reading, spoke to me strongly. One describes the condition of the young man, asleep but alive. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 in the Message says, “Jesus Christ, He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we are awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him.”
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 says in the Message, “May the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over everyone around you.”
Our hope and confidence are in Jesus, who comforts those who mourn and pours out abundant love to heal, strengthen, and provide moment-by-moment reassurance of the future reunion we have been promised.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
