What did Jesus have to say about death?

     Let's go to John 11 and read the story of one of Jesus' friends, Lazarus. One day Lazarus got sick, and his sisters, Mary and Martha sent a messenger to Jesus to tell Him. Jesus stayed where He was for two more days.

     Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

     The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?"

     Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." These things He said, and after that He said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."

     Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well."

     However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead." John 11:7-14.

    You can read or listen to the rest of the story in John 11, and watch as Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. But let's look again at what Jesus said about Lazarus. "He said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps." John 11:11. What is it like to sleep? There is no sense of time in sleep; likewise in the grave.

But I thought the soul was immortal.

But I'm sure that a loved one is in heaven now.

 

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