Tag Archives: Dying

Meditations

WILL YOU DIE FOR JESUS?

Leave a comment

Jesus Christ on the cross in stained glass

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15: 13 KJV).

In John 15: 13, we read that there is no greater love than for a man to die for his friend. Of course the reference is to the sacrifice that Jesus made. He willingly suffered and died so that we might live, so that we might escape eternal damnation. Considering that one good deed deserves another, my question to you this Easter season is this: Jesus died for you.  Are you willing to die for Him?

Dying for Jesus might mean simply giving up your old corrupt life and devoting all your new time and energy to His service.   Are you willing to lay down your comfortable life in America and give up all to work in a poverty-stricken country like Haiti or an Ebola infected area like West Africa caring for the “least of these”? Dying for Jesus might mean defending His Word even in the face of danger. Are you willing to defend Jesus’ commandments to your death so that all will see and know them, so that His laws may stand as a beacon of light in public places along with other official documents of our culture? I could go on and on, but I ask you again: if the situation presents itself, will you die for Jesus?

As Christians we are called to make the ultimate sacrifice and follow Jesus. If our love, faith, and hope are anchored in Christ, then we should be able to follow Him even to the grave.

 Prayer:   Almighty God, we are grateful for your unselfish love.  Touch our hearts   so that we may joyfully return that love by demonstrating extraordinary acts love in all walks of life.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Meditations

Let Go of the Fear of Dying

Aside Leave a comment

Meditation

And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:15

            Your attitude about death is very important.  What is your view? Is death a thief whose job is to steal you away from your family and friend or a welcomed visitor whose delight is to accompany you on your journey to the Father?   If you believe that death is a thief and you spend your life worrying about him, then you will live the rest of your life like a prisoner, shut-in from the joy and gusto of real living. Heaven forbid!

Old age should be the best stage in a person’s life.  For, it is a time when responsibility is at a minimum.   There is no job to worry about, and there are no children to fuss over. We are free at last to do whatever we want. Yet, instead of seizing the opportunity to do those things that we postponed for our golden years, too many of us spend our time fearing dying.  Let it go!

Jesus conquered death with His dying on the cross.  Therefore, why fear it?  As people of faith, we should always have a positive attitude about living and dying.  Why?  We know that God, our protector, provider, and counselor, will still take care of us no matter what.  We also know that if we remain faithful to God until the end, dying is a just means to a better life.   So, embrace the here and now; it is ours to enjoy. Welcome death; it is the only a passageway to our heavenly home.

Gracious Father, we pray that you free us from all fears, especially the fear of dying.  Help us to live out our old age with unquestionable worth until we are called home to live with you in peace.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.