A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

THERE IS LIFE FOR YOU AFTER YOU DIE      

Matthew 22:31-32 “But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” 

When Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, died they were upset with Jesus. The sisters had sent an SOS to Him to come heal their brother, but Jesus delayed and their brother died. After Lazarus died, Jesus arrived and Martha said to Him, “. . . if you had been here my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) Jesus then comforted her just two verses later with these words, “Your brother will rise again.” (John 11:23) Then Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26) 

In the very first chapter of John’s Gospel the Holy Spirit inspired John to write concerning Jesus, “In Him was life . . .” (John 1:4) In the tenth chapter, John quoted Jesus, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (abundantly.)” (John 10:10) And, in John 3:15-16, John wrote, “Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) will not perish but will have eternal life . . .” 

John summarizes the purpose of the words of his Gospel in John 20:31, “. . . these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” You, a Christian, have God’s promise through Jesus you will receive after your earthly death a life that will never end. You can say with Job, “And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:26-27) 

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for the eternal life you have won for me through Your life, death, and resurrection. Amen. 

Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song!  
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong.  
All around the clouds are breaking;   
Soon the storms of time shall cease;  
In God’s likeness we awaken, Knowing everlasting peace.  

Oh, what glory, far exceeding All that eye has yet perceived!  
Holiest hearts for ages pleading Never that full joy conceived.  
God has promised, Christ prepares it;  
There on high our welcome waits.  
Ev’ry humble spirit shares it, Christ has passed the eternal gates. 

Life eternal! Heav’n rejoices; Jesus lives who once was dead.  
Shout with joy, O deathless voices! Child of God, lift up your head!  
Life eternal! Oh, what wonders Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,  
When, amid earth’s closing thunders,   
Saints shall stand before the throne!  

Sing with All the Saints in Glory // LSB 671