Death and New Life

Little A has been loving a story book that her Great Nana gave to us a couple months ago.  Its a very old book and Hubby remembers it from his childhood as well.  At first Little A didn't pay attention to the old paper back book, she has so many bright flashy hard covers that she has us read over and over.

But a few weeks ago hubby pulled it out and read it to her.  And since then it has been one that she asks to read almost everyday. 

I tried to find a link for it so you could order it if interested, the company still exists but I have searched and they dont make this book anymore. You can still purchase old copies from amazon or ebay. 

Anyway, it is called "The Little Sleeping Beauty" and is the story of Jesus healing the dead child. There are three retellings of this in the bible, Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:21, Luke 8:40. 

Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.  Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother.  Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.  But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”  Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.  Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Luke 8:40- 42, 49-56

Reading this story has gotten me thinking about death, Jesus raising people from the dead and how incredible, and shocking it would have been to see it happen.  We don't often hear about that kind of thing happening nowadays and if it does it is often surrounded with doubt and speculation. 

Jesus performed this kind of miracle a few times that are recorded in the bible. 
In Luke there is also an account of Jesus healing a widows son.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.  As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.  When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said,“Young man, I say to you, get up!”  The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”  This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Luke 7:11- 16

And then in John where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after 4 days. 


Death is such a horrifying thing for people belonging to this world.  YOLO, you only live once, is a very popular saying out there right now.  People can take it either way, you only live once so you should be crazy, live wild, and die with some great memories.  Or you only live once so you should be conservative, don't take too many risks, and take care of yourself.

As Christians we believe that our lives are not our own. We were made with a purpose. We are part of a plan and every moment should be lived out to glorify our Father in heaven. Death is very different when you believe that you will live again, and when you know that you will spend eternity with the Heavenly Father. 

While on this earth, in this body, we are separate from God.  Our hearts and flesh cry out for Him, the one that created us, that fills us, and that brings us real life.  

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Often, when we lose a loved one we are left feeling hurt and angry. We wish that Jesus was around to bring them back to life. We pray and hope that they wake up, that they will be sent back.   But really, if they know the father, that is the last thing that would want.  

They leave this earth and get welcomed in. The see the face of their creator. They fall at His feet and worship. They spend years that feel like minutes and minutes that feel like years, in worship to the King of Kings. 


 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;  but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 
Phillipians 1:21-24

We cannot be sad for them. They have been blessed. "To die is gain." We are the ones that are left behind and are sad for our loss.   

When I die, I expect a celebration. There should be no sadness. There should be no anger with God. Even if I go today, and leave my wonderful husband and children behind, I know that God's plan is good and that someday I will meet them again. 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Revelation 21:3-8

Sorry if that was all over the place, hopefully it makes sense to you and isnt too hard to follow.

Blessings.
A