DEATH, SUFFERING, AND SLEEP (SOUNDS FUN)
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.” Romans 6:9-10, ESV
Theme: When Jesus is alive in us, death has no power over us.
DON’T FEAR DEATH
“Jesus is alive in us! Death has no power over us!” While believers know this is true, it remains hard to understand because death certainly seems to have some power over us. Death limits our ability to see loved ones who have died, our ability to finish the things we have started in this life, and our choices.
However, death is not the end. Jesus died – yet He showed us on Easter Sunday that death is temporary. Because Jesus defeated sin on the cross one dark and scary Friday, the penalty of sin (death) has been paid. Jesus made the payment for all sin so that sin and death can’t come collect from us anymore. We belong to and are under God’s power. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, ESV). It’s gone. Jesus took the victory, and He shares it with us.
SUFFERING IS SCARY
My grandmother has dementia, is ailing, and in need of nursing care. When I see her confused and suffering, I feel powerless to prevent end of life suffering for others or myself. Life does have trouble and death does come for us. Even Jesus feared the suffering at the end of His life and asked God to take it from Him. I ask that, too. That’s not wrong. But the good news is that suffering is temporary. It was temporary for Jesus, and it will be for us. Death, the endgame, may not even be worse than what we are already going through.
“YES” TO SLEEP
The Bible often refers to the dead as having “fallen asleep” (see Matthew 27:52; John 11:11-12; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 18, 20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15). When I’m tired, I welcome sleep. “Yes, please” is my response to a nap or early bedtime. Last night, after a particularly long and productive day, I had no qualms about heading to bed. When my teenagers are facing exhaustion, a good night of sleep is welcomed. You know who doesn’t like bedtime? Our bouncy, energetic five-year-old. Toddlers and babies fight sleep. They fear being alone, fear darkness, loss of control, and hate missing anything. We try to tell them that sleep is good! We soothe them, lie down with them, and sing to them. They don’t believe us.
MATURE VIEW OF SLEEP AND DEATH
As kids mature, they learn to value rest and recognize when they need it. They know they will wake up again and when they do, they’ll be a new person. We practice this wake and sleep cycle every day until we die. Every morning is a reminder that sleep is not the end; every evening a reminder that our bodies are limited.
God is faithful. His mercies are new every morning. As we grow in character and in following Jesus, we learn that death is like sleep. It is not the end. It doesn’t have to frighten us. Because Jesus is alive in us – death has no power over us. Let’s live, die, and talk about death like we believe this truth.
Make It Personal: Which is worse for you: exhaustion or going to sleep? How does comparing sleep with death change your way of thinking? In what way is sleep a poor analogy for death? Why do you think deceased saints were referred to as having fallen asleep in the passages above?
Pray: God, thank You for sending Jesus to defeat sin and death once for all. Easter is such a great reminder of the powerlessness of death. You defeated death and sin for us. Thank You for the broken body and blood, terrible as they were, that give us freedom. Thank You for showing us that being afraid to suffer is understandable, but that the endgame-death-is not to be feared. Help me to remember the truth and live like I believe it. You are risen! You have won. Praise and glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Amen.
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:16-58; Matthew 27:52
Weekly Memory Verse: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.’” Matthew 28:5-6a, ESV