Kingdom Bites

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

I could hardly believe my eyes as I watched the 10PM news two years ago. Right before the commercial break a new company entitled “Eternal Image” was featured. On my 36 inch TV screen was a computer generated rendering of a casket with the Minnesota Twins logo pasted all over it. In fact, Major League Baseball has entered into a licensing agreement with Eternal Image, which makes urns, caskets, and headstone markers containing the logos for all 30 MLB teams.

However, if baseball is not your thing, there are many more options to choose from, a full line of Vatican, Precious Moments, and Star Trek caskets and urns. Not to mention memorials for your beloved pet. Now, matters of life and death are very serious, and I do not mean to make light of them; moreover, what a person wishes to be buried in is completely up to them, for the Bible provides no guidelines for burial places.  Yet what worries me, is how many in our culture view life and death.

Oftentimes the grave is referred to (and seen) as our final resting spot. The end of our life. However, this is not true. While on earth Jesus spoke very plainly about life and death; and life after death. In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31, Christ is clear that while death is end of our physical life, our soul continues to exist for eternity.

In John chapter three, Christ has a late night meeting with a man named Nicodemus. In verse 16 Jesus gives this promise “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Christ promised Life, not Death. In fact, this was the reason why Christ was sent to earth. In verse 17  Christ expands this thought “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him coming to earth.”

Christ came paying the penalty for sin; offering the promise of everlasting life in the presence of our magnificent and glorious God for all of eternity. This promise is universal, and is offered to everyone who repents, believes, and trusts in Him alone.

This promise will never fade, spoil, or perish; but will last for all eternity, and will change you for eternity as well. The only true rest one can ever find in this life or the next is found in Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord for offering hope, peace, and the great promise of new life in Jesus Christ. Teach me to rest in His peace.