Reading: Genesis 23

Sarah is 127 years old and the Lord takes her away.  Abraham mourns and weeps. His long time wife and close companion leaves a big empty place in his life. Death is a sad reality. However, Sarah and Abraham did not despair thinking about death. Indeed they prepared for it. Hebrews 11:13 -14 tell us Sarah, Abraham and the other believers, died in faith. Instead of staring at the cold grave, they look forward to a heavenly country, knowing God has prepared a city (eternal life) for them. This gives them strength to continue with their daily lives, despite many difficulties.

 

The New Testament reveals this comfort to us in greater detail. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” The Heidelberg Catechism says that Jesus “Christ’s resurrection is to us a sure pledge of our glorious resurrection” (LD 17).

 

Although Jesus Christ died and was buried, the grave could not hold Him permanently. Through His suffering and death Jesus Christ defeated our universal enemy (death) so that it had to release Him on the third day for His resurrection. Jesus shares with all believers His victory over death; His resurrection is a guarantee that we will be resurrected on the last day. Then we will live with Jesus Christ eternally. Although Abraham mourned for Sarah, he was comforted, in faith, by the promise of eternal life. It is also our comfort today. Faith prepares us for death.

 

Key text: Genesis 23:2 “Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.”

 

Question: What comfort do you receive from the above?