+Judith Ann McGraw +

Jesus used these words a few hours before his death to instruct his disciples in how not to be troubled by death. He doesn’t ask us to forgo sorrow. He does not ask the impossible. Jesus is truly human, so he knows our human emotions. He, of course, is aware of the power of the resurrection, and yet, he still shed tears at the death of his friend Lazarus. Nevertheless, he urges his followers not to be troubled. How can that be?

Why Should We Not Be Anxious, Worried,

When Faced with Death?

What were the reasons Jesus gives His followers for comfort at a moment like this? He gave three.

Because God is really here for us to believe in.

Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God”—God, who created us and all that exists, who is the Almighty, who numbers the hairs of our heads, who clothes the lilies of the field, who knows when a sparrow falls to earth. He loves us more than all the things he created. He gave his only Son into death for us. We can believe in God, who made and loved each one of us, to be with us. He made and loved Judy.

The second word of comfort Jesus gives us at a moment like this is:

Because Christ is a real Savior for us to believe in.

“Believe also in me,” Jesus said.

There was a time when Jesus visited the sisters of Lazarus, who died a few days earlier. His calm assurance was “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (11:25–26).

Watch as Jesus is crucified, and hear him say, “ ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (19:30).

Believe that the death of Jesus paid for all sins of all time. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7).

Hear the Easter message of the angel: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” (Mt 28:5–6).

Judy believed Christ gave her life, life to the full, in his resurrection. Judy’s life was a witness to that faith.

The final word of comfort Jesus gives his followers at a time like this is:

Because there really is a place prepared to believe in.

Then Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (v 2).

It’s foolish to think we fully understand this picture, but we know this word of promise comes from the one who is the way, the truth, and the life.

We give thanks for Judy’s earthly life and her Christian witness. We rejoice in Judy’s victory, the gift of eternal life, and the crown of righteousness she will wear for all eternity. “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim 4:8).

That’s for us. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:19–20).

Jesus promises that he will be with us to instruct us in our living. And, in showing us how to live He will do the following for us:

To strengthen our faith—so that we are not troubled by things we cannot understand, but will trust in almighty God, who made us his children through faith in Christ. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (Jn 1:12).

To strengthen our hope—We, too, know the way, as we continue to listen to his words of truth and life. He is the one who has us in his plan, in his arms, in his love. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).

To strengthen our love—to care for one another as Christ cares for us, to help us. “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. . . . We love because he first loved us” (1 Jn 4:14, 19).

This is how Jesus comforts us and all his children. “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 Jn 5:14).

May we now, and at our last hour, trust in the comfort Christ has promised!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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