As the New Year begins, I want to start our daily devotionals by exploring the concept of eternity. Many people are unsure about their destination after death, making this topic significant. Some believe that when a Christian dies, their soul is in a state of sleep and remains unconscious until Jesus returns for them at the end of this present evil age. The Bible contains a few passages where Jesus refers to death for a Christian as "sleep." For example, before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He described Lazarus's death as sleep.
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." 12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep (John 11:11-13).
The Lord intentionally waited an extra two days before departing for Lazarus's tomb (John 11:6). Why did Jesus delay His journey to Jerusalem to raise Lazarus? According to Jewish tradition, a person's soul could remain near the body for up to three days afterward. Jesus waited intentionally to demonstrate His authority over death, confirming that Lazarus was truly dead, not just sleeping in the tomb. John, the apostle, clarifies this in verse 13 of the above passage. Jesus then explained that those who trust in Him will never be separated from the source of life or face true death.
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
The Lord also spoke about death as sleeping when He brought Jairus’ daughter back from the dead:
49While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher anymore." 50Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." 51When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. 52Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." 53They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" 55Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened (Luke 8:49-56; emphasis added).
A believer in Christ is never truly dead; they are in a state of separation from their body, which Jesus refers to as ‘sleep.’ We shouldn't assume that sleep means unconsciousness. In fact, those who believe in Christ are often more aware, especially when they leave their physical bodies. When Jesus took the little girl’s hand and told her to get up, her spirit returned. Where was she? Her body lay dead on the bed, but her true self—her spirit—was elsewhere. Wouldn’t you wonder what she experienced before Jesus called her back to her earthly body? According to Scripture, a person is only truly dead when they are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1, 5) and separated from God. The gift of eternal life is given when someone believes in Christ and receives God's life by being born again of the Spirit (John 3:3). So, dear reader, have you accepted this gift of new life in Christ? Let's continue contemplating this tomorrow. Keith Thomas