HOPE TRIUMPHS
HOPE IN THE FACE OF DEATH
Is there hope in the face of death? The answer is a definitive “yes”. Image credit: YEASIN CHOWDHURY on Unsplash.
By REVEREND TONY ZEKVELD
All of us know the experience of death at one time or another. We sense the loss and the aching void it brings. We can’t bring the loved one back. It may be the loss of a child to young parents or the unexpected news of terminal cancer. Even for ourselves, we might fear death. We don’t like to think or talk about it. Death comes to everyone. Death has a note of finality to it.
Is there hope in the face of death? At one’s passing, we might say good words about that person, speak of his or her achievements and offer words of encouragement and support to the grieving family. But even then, all this can’t bring the lifeless body of our loved one back to life again.
For there to be hope in the face of death, death needs to be conquered. But can death be overcome? The answer is a definitive “yes”.
God did not create us to die. Death was not the natural state of affairs in the beginning. God made us to live in fellowship with Him.
Death came into our world when our first parents deliberately chose to sin against God. In breaking relationship with God, we died spiritually and, therefore, we also die physically. We brought this sentence of death upon ourselves.
Yet there is hope! It is found in the One who reconciles sinners to God. It’s found in the sinless, perfect One who took the sentence of death upon Himself on the cross. And He has given assurance this by rising from the dead in His body on the third day.
This hope is Jesus, the Son of God. This is the hope of Easter!
The hope for life, eternal life, is found in Him. This life in Him is not interrupted in death. We continue to live with Jesus and God assures us that our bodies will be raised to life from the dead on the day that Jesus returns. All who repent and believe in Jesus, God promises eternal life. All who do not, God warns of judgment and eternal death.
By believing in Jesus, we do grieve but with hope. This hope is based on God’s promise in the Bible. God does not break His promise. He is faithful always. In Jesus, this hope is certain and comforting!
If you want to discuss more, feel free to call me at 416-740-0543.
If you want to talk more, feel free to phone or text Reverend Tony Zekveld (“call me Pastor Tony”) at Hope Centre at 416-740-0543. His email is hopebrampton@gmail.com and website: www.hopecentrebrampton.com.