I AM FREE FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH THROUGH JESUS!
I AM FREE FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH THROUGH JESUS!
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” —John 11:4
After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” –John 11:11-15
Jesus said that the illness of Lazarus was not going to end in death and yet he died. The key to this is that Lazarus’ death “does not lead to death” or “end in death.” Death is not the end and in Lazarus’ case, his death “is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” The Father and Son would be glorified through the death of Lazarus. How? Jesus already said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
What happens when a person dies? It is interesting when the news of Jairus’ daughter arrived and that she had died, Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” There were those wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep. They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.” And then Jesus “took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened” (Luke 850, 52-56). Jesus called to her and her spirit returned to her just as Jesus would call Lazarus’ spirit back to Him.
In the book of James we read, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). The point that is being made is that the body alone is dead. The body needs the spirit to live. It is the spirit that makes the body live. James was saying that this is true of works. Works show that faith is alive.
Fellow followers of Jesus, brothers and sisters, our illness will not end in death. No, not at all. “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8). And Paul also said—-
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” —Philippians 1:21-25
Paul said that he “would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” What is he saying? He would prefer to die, that is, that his spirit would leave his body and be with Jesus! Wow… can we say that? We need not fear death. Actually, Jesus shared in our humanity “so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). We need not fear death! Jesus has freed us from that! So, let’s live like that… and die like that! Oh, yes dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may it be so! https://youtu.be/bo9ZWX1lEKI?t=1015