1 Thessalonians 5:10, Philippians 1:21, 23, and 2 Corinthians 5:8
[He] died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:10
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #40: So That We Would Be with Him Immediately After Death. The devotion opens by making it clear that "[t]he Bible does not view our bodies as bad." We are referred to 1 Corinthians 6:13 where Paul is clear when he writes the Lord is "for our body." Extending his reasoning in the devotion, Piper shares that "death is an enemy," and that "we lose something precious" when we die. At the same time, we should be clear that when we die, we gain eternity in Heaven with Christ. This is of course incredibly hopeful, building on yesterday's devotion which focused on how Christ gives us freedom over the fear of death. The devotion directs us to Philippians 1:21, 23 where the text describes the tension Paul felt between living for Christ in an earthly body vs living eternally with Christ in Heaven. We are also directed to 2 Corinthians 5 where Paul shares how early believers looked forward to Heaven, being with Christ, and feeling more "at home." The devotion concludes, pointing us to 1 Thessalonians 5:10 and stating that "[t]his is one of the great reasons Christ suffered" - that a believer's death brings one home to Christ. For sake of clarity in summarizing this devotion, I omitted the devotion's discussion and references to the "in-between" state where believers who pass and are buried are merely "asleep" awaiting bodily resurrection - for more on John Piper's views on this topic, go here. Rejoice in how Christ bring us home after death!
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is full of grace and compassion for us - thank You Jesus! Thank You for saving a place for me in Heaven. I am not deserving of how You save and bless. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
