2 Timothy 1:9-10. 9 [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Do you know what the word “abolished” means? Paul says to Timothy that Jesus has abolished death, but what does that mean?
“Abolished” means that you have made something end or go away. In America, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery, and that was a great thing. But even better than that is Jesus abolishing death. Jesus has ended death. He made it go away.
Now this can be confusing because people still die, don’t they? Maybe you have lost someone that you loved because they died. Death and dying is really sad, isn’t it? Do you remember why people die according to the Bible? The Bibles says that we die because it is the punishment for sin.
Romans 6:23a. For the wages of sin is death…
The Bibles says that the devil tries to make us afraid of death. We know this is true because very few people will even talk about dying and we try very hard to live as long as we can. Because you are so young, you probably don’t really think about death too much. But ask your mom and dad or your grandparents about it. What are some things we do to try to live longer?
None of this is bad. God wants us to take care of ourselves and live a long time. He knows that we love each other and want to be with each other as long as we can.
But God also wants us to know that we don’t ever have to afraid of death. Why? Because if we have Jesus then we have his very own life and immortality. This is the same word “life” that we talked about yesterday. Zoe. God’s divine life is in us when we trust in Jesus, and that makes us immortal.
“Immortal” means that we never die.
So, with Jesus, even when we die we don’ really die. Why not? Because of the resurrection!
Two thousand years ago Jesus did what we’ve all been trying to do for all of human history. Have you ever seen pictures of the pyramids in Egypt? The Egyptian Pharaohs would be buried in those huge pyramids with all kinds of treasures. Why? Because they thought they would go to another place and live forever with all their riches.
But the Bibles says that it is Jesus who gives life and immortality. Not a pyramid. And not anyone or anything else. Jesus abolished death. When he resurrected from the dead he put death to death. Now, with Jesus, your death is not an ending, it’s only the beginning. You will never die again. You will live on. Forever.
Does that sound boring or even scary? I hope not. Remember, you will live forever with God’s life inside of you and you will be with God and with all the other Christians, and there will be nothing bad and only what is good and fun.
When we don’t have to be afraid to die, we don’t have to be afraid to live for Jesus. Even the worst thing in this life is nothing compared to living in Heaven with him.
You: What do you think about living forever with God? Does that sound good to you?
You with Jesus: Being with Jesus makes us immortal. How can that help you to not be afraid of things in this life?
Prayer: Father, I’m not sure I understand what eternal life will be, but I know I love you and I love that you want to be with me forever. Help me to not be afraid of things in this life because I know that no matter what happens I will be with you forever. Amen.
TLICfamily 