A REFLECTION ON HEBREWS 11:13-16

Some years ago, I wrote a social media post titled, “Death: The Pinnacle of Life.” It was prompted by the numerous death notices I was seeing daily, posted by family members and loved ones.  I kept wondering if these dead loved ones or even the ones left behind had the blessed hope of the resurrection, and whether they were looking forward to life with Jesus after death. At the end of each trial in our lives, we have the hope that things will change, that it will get better. But what awaits us when death comes?

God has promised eternal life to those who believe and diligently serve Him. “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25). God is not slack concerning His promises; what He says, He will do.  Death is not the end of the believer’s story. It’s the highlight of what is to come.  Death in Christ is life in Christ, and that is why it is the high point for Believers.

The book of Hebrews, Chapter 11 expresses my heart’s sentiments on this matter. In verse 13, speaking of the faithful who had departed, the author says, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” And verse 16 says, “Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Death for believers is God’s way of saying, "Welcome home to the great reward I have for you: a life where there will be no more sickness, sorrow or death." Death is saying welcome to life.  The only time we should fear death is when we are not walking with Jesus. Death is standing at the top of the mountain of life; it is the highest point of hope.  It is hope for a better life, a life with Jesus. It’s a hope that will never fade or waiver.

At the end of this life, believers should be singing in praise and worship:

Come, Jesus, come

We’ve been waiting so long

For the day You return

To heal every hurt

And right every wrong

We need You right now

Come and turn this around

Deep down I know

This world isn’t home

Come, Jesus, come

(Stephen McWhirter)

As a child of God, you can look forward to eternal life after this life. We are called to His glory through death.