A Biblical Perspective on Death and LifeNäide

Whoever believes in Jesus shall not die

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

At first glance, Jesus' words sound comforting. But if we think about them a little further, are they true? After all, we know all too well that everybody dies once, whether he believes in Jesus or not! Is Jesus unaware of this fact? Is He detached from a harsh reality?

Well, no, not exactly. He speaks these words at the funeral of His friend Lazarus! Jesus is all too aware of the raw reality of death. And yet He speaks these words. For the life that Jesus offers is not limited by physical death. He demonstrates this by raising Lazarus from the dead. But even believers who are not raised yet, live on — in heaven with God. For them, physical death is only the passage from earthly to heavenly life. And finally, at the end of time, they will live with Jesus on the new earth. This life lasts forever.

Jesus ends with a question, “Do you believe this?” That is crucial. Only when we believe in Him do we receive eternal life. So I also ask you the same question: Do you believe that you can find eternal life in Jesus?