As followers of Jesus, when we receive a message directly from Him, we know it carries a lot of weight!  Here's what Jesus tells us about those who die before He returns:  ¹⁵We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 NLT

We've been talking about grieving with hope this week, and if anything makes us grieve with hope, it's knowing that when we die we are assured of meeting Jesus again--alive!  The Apostle Paul tells us the truth of the resurrection is so important that if Jesus has not risen from the dead, then "....we are of all people the most to be pitied."  (See 1 Corinthians 15 for the context of this statement.  We don't live our lives here on earth just so we can die and go see Jesus, but the truth is when we die we DO get to go see Jesus.  The Apostle Paul understood this so well.  That's why he told the Philippian Christians "...for me to live is Christ and to die is gain!"  (See Philippians 1 for the context of this statement.)  Paul talked about the importance of the resurrection in nearly every one of his letters to the churches.  Why?  Because it is pivotal for our faith.   To live a good life here on earth and then die and let the worms eat us... if that's it, Paul tells us that's not worth it. 

Many times in my life, when it has been really hard following Jesus, remembering the ultimate assurance of victory in Jesus, has helped me keep going.  Sometimes when I've failed to keep going, remembering the ultimate assurance of victory has moved me to repentance and back to faith in Jesus.  At the end of the day, the Christian faith is just that--faith in the living God who created us, redeemed us and lives within us.  That is worth everything to those of us who have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord, and worship the one, triune God.  My prayer is that each of you who read this, whatever your current attitude toward faith in Jesus, and His resurrection would consider the vital importance of Jesus' own testimony regarding life after life.  He affirmed it.  He stated He is the only way to it, and He was the first one to experience it in all its fullness.   Let's step forward boldly today, knowing that for us to live IS Jesus Christ, and dying will be gain!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your faithfulness to fulfill all Your promises.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live in hope, knowing that one day You will fulfill Your promise to send Jesus back to claim all who trust in Him, and to give us all the opportunity to live with You forever.  This we pray in His name.  Amen.