PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 8:49-56
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“’Stop wailing,’ Jesus said. ‘She is not dead but asleep.” (Luke 8:52)
Death is tragic and unnatural, something we all resist, grieve and hate.
The bible describes death as sleep (John 11:11, 1 Corinthians 11:30 15:51).
This isn’t to minimize its curse but to maximize hope!
What if we started speaking about death this way: not dead but asleep?
Jesus was not heartless about their grief (he cried too, John 11:35).
His words were gentle, an invitation to hope over despair.
He had hope that God could raise her… and this time God did!
I’ve been with parents who pleaded for their child to be restored.
Sadly they were not, though I too pleaded and wept!
Yet I still have hope… I refuse to believe that death is the end.
We do “not grieve like those who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Jesus came to overcome the curse, to restore us to life and joy and love.
His resurrection resonates deep within us; it is what we all long for.
I can’t prove it, but I feel it deep inside: we will wake up again!
PRAYER
Lord, it’s hard to stop weeping when death is all we see. Whisper these words in my heart, ‘they are not dead but asleep!’
“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” I was going to say, don’t be anxious – which is a kind of fear. I relate to anxiety because I easily get anxious. It bothers me and makes me restless – I get trouble sleeping. I need to trust more – believing, really believing that Jesus will come through – that he will help me overcome my anxiety and trust the outcome to him. It is hard not for me not to be fretful! Forgive me Lord Jesus – help me to believe that you know all things and know what’s best for me. Help me to trust more that you will work things out!
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. As He told the people their that the girl was asleep and would be healed, so too is His promise to all who die in the Lord. He promised that we would be with Him as He told the thief on the cross. We truly will be healed – no more pain; no more sin; life forevermore. As Jesus is alive today, we too will be alive forevermore. That is His promise to all who believe that He is able.
He’s able, He’s able,
I know He’s able,
I know my Lord is able
To carry me through.
(Repeat)
He healed the broken-hearted
And set the captive free,
He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see.
He’s able, He’s able,
I know He’s able,
I know my Lord is able
To carry me through.