The dead are only sleeping

​4-21-21
We are now in the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension. During this time, we meditate on what the resurrection means for us and how he continues his work even today.
Today’s devotion is based on Jesus’ words, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.”
Lazarus has died.  Yet Jesus refers to his as only being asleep.  That is the strangest thing to call death, yet in Jesus’ words, he is speaking a truth, for there will be a time when all who have died will rise again to eternal life.  Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior will live with God for all eternity. In contrast, those who did not will live eternally separated from God, knowing that they rejected the one who came to make peace between them and God.
Please pray with me the prayer for today:  Thank you, O Lord, for giving me my life. Thank you for sustaining my life during my time on earth.  Thank you for your promise that my earthly death is only a time of sleep. For on that day when you come back to call the dead to life, I will wake from my sleep into your presence.  Please help me to live this day in your grace.  In your holy name, I pray.  Amen