Do you know the one very important appointment that most people dread, but that nobody can do anything to avoid? It is DEATH! Do you live in fear of it? (Hebrews 2:14-15.) There is something you can do that will make you be able to look forward to it!
Although I can look forward to it (Philippians 1:21-23. 2nd Corinthians 5:175.) I certainly will not do anything to deliberately try to meet it sooner than I have to! Our life here is important; it is a gift from God, and so it has meaning and purpose. (John 1:1-3. 10:7¬15.)
One day the Jews said to Jesus, "Aren't we right in saying that You are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?" Even although Jesus Christ had proved He was unequalled, and always lived for the glory of God, yet these people thought like this about Him, because they did not belong to God. (verse 47.)
"I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honour My Father and you dishonour Me... I tell you the truth, if a man keeps My word, he will never see death."
At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! ... Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are? (verses' 48-53.)
Jesus was in no doubt about who He was. He was the Son of God, sent by the Father to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14.)
Jesus replied, "If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the One who glorifies Me. Though you do not know Him, I know him....Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day; he saw it and was glad." (verses-54-56.)
The Jews thought this was ridiculous. Abraham had lived nearly 2,000 years before Jesus - how could he have seen or known Jesus' day?
But Abraham had known God's promise to send the Messiah into his family, and he had believed it and looked forward to it. He had "seen" the promised Messiah, Jesus, by faith, and had trusted in God's promise that He would send the Saviour. (Romans 4:18-25.)
These Jews did not share the faith Abraham had rejoiced in. They called themselves children of Abraham but were rejecting the glorious Saviour he had "seen" and had said would come. (Galatians 3:16.)
Don't you reject the great Priest and Saviour God has given to us. (John 3:16-19. Romans 3:21-26.) To all who will accept Jesus as their Saviour He promises they "will never see death"! (verse 51.)
"Death" is that which cuts people off from those around them; but the person who trusts in Christ will NEVER see himself/herself cut off from God. For them, the end of life here on earth means the immediate entrance into the presence of God! That is why all who trust in Jesus as their only Priest and Saviour can face death without fear! (1st Corinthians 15:50-57.)
Don't you foolishly reject Jesus the Saviour today! Trust Him as your Saviour and find purpose and joy in life by living for God's glory, and you will be able to face death without fear because you will be meeting your Saviour!
This story from John chapter 8, verses 47-59 ends with Jesus protecting His life from those Jews because they "picked up stones to stone Him"!
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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