Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
Jesus’ words in today’s passage were spoken to a woman in despair. Her brother, Lazarus, had died, and she felt the sharp pains of grief; but Jesus reminded her that while physical death was inevitable, spiritual death was not. Those who believe in Jesus “will never ever die.”
There are many reasons you may have for not being a Christian. You may not feel like you need Jesus. You may not believe the Bible to be true. You may have had a bad experience with a church or with Christians. However, there is one thing that we can all agree on—we are all going to die.
The ending starts at the beginning. At birth, the body, always vulnerable to a disease or tragic demise, begins the process of aging, which culminates in a worn-out, weakened fight for the last breath. Death is the feared and final enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26).
In his song “Identity,” Lecrae raps, “I’m not the shoes I wear. I’m not the clothes I buy. I’m not the house I live in. I’m not the cars I drive, no. I’m not the job I work. You can’t define my worth by nothing on God’s green earth. My identity is found in Christ, is found in Christ.” You may or may not appreciate Christian rap, but you can’t deny the biblical truth found in this song.
Certainly an “excessive and unhealthy interest” in the demonic realm is dangerous, but, as Lewis reminds us, so is disbelieving or ignoring their existence. Satan is real. He prowls around like a roaring lion. He desires that we fail. Satan also desires that we are afraid of failing.
Jesus’ special invitation is for all who are carrying heavy loads. The weight wears a person down mentally, physically, and spiritually. There is only one remedy for body and soul exhaustion—rest. And that’s exactly what Jesus promises.