Jesus Confronts Death

Today's reading: Luke 7:11-35

'And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”' - Luke 7:13 ESV

Many people in our world today say death is natural, part of a cycle that has existed from the beginning. Yet if this is true, then why is it that we feel so awful when someone close to us dies?

As Christians, we believe that humans weren't initially created to experience death. Adam and Eve were placed in an ideal environment where they could endlessly flourish in God's presence and their own creativity. Then they were deceived into thinking that being human was not enough. They desired to be gods themselves, to assume more knowledge and control. It ended with their expulsion from the garden and their eventual deaths.

In our reading for today, Jesus encounters a heartbroken widow. She had lost her husband, and now she had lost her only son. Our Savior didn't just dismiss her and proceed into the city. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke for her.

Do you realize today that Jesus also cares about your life as well? Maybe you need Jesus to say the same to you today: "Do not weep." When dealing with death and the promise of resurrection, it is always helpful to read what Paul wrote:

'But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.' - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 ESV

The best is truly yet to come!