| Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
As we take this journey called life, we will have times of blessing but face challenges. That is life! Even if we are following Jesus, there will be real-life challenges in our lives.
In Luke 11, we see a real-life challenge we will go through on the journey. We will face the death of a loved one. We read of two godly sisters, and their brother Lazarus dies. Death is unavoidable, and we are all going to die one day!
Words come to Jesus that his friend Lazarus has died. Jesus tells His disciples that we have to go back to Judea. Jesus says these exciting words in John 11:10; “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake Him up.”
Jesus does use the phrase, Lazarus died, passed away, or is lost. He uses the word sleep!
Because as a follower of Jesus, we have eternal life, and we never die, graduate, or just change addresses!
Why should I take the journey of following Jesus? So that I can have eternal life!
Jesus talks to Mary about life and death and tells her in John 11: 25-26, “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (Do we believe this?)
Eternity is a long time! That is why I am following Jesus! Are you ready for eternity?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the Lead Senior Pastor of the International Christian Church (ICC) at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
