Back to Life

READ: MATTHEW 27:45-54; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-28

“Look at all the zombies coming out of the ground!” said Spencer, tossing a handful of popcorn in his mouth while watching the final minutes of his new favorite show, Living Zombies.

He tossed a pillow at his sixteen-year-old sister who sat curled up with a book on the sofa. “Man, this show is fantastic, Izzy. You should watch it. There’s this Gleaner who can bring zombies back to life.”

“He might raise zombies, but I know someone who will raise us from the dead.”

As you probably guessed, Izzy meant Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. Three days later, He came back to life again, proving He’s God. Five hundred people saw Him after He rose from the grave. He told His followers He was going to heaven to prepare a place for us so that we’ll be with Him there when we die (John 14:1-3). And, one day, when He returns to make all things new, He will raise us back to life.

But how can we get this forever (or eternal) life?

Eternal life comes from God, the source of life. Death is caused by sin because sin separates us from God—and we all sin (Isaiah 59:2; John 14:6; Romans 3:23). The Bible, God’s Word, tells us that we must trust Jesus alone as our Savior from sin and death. He offers salvation as a gift to us by the power of His resurrection (Romans 10:9; Acts 17:30-31). Many times, when we’re given something, we have to give something back in return, but this gift of life is free (Romans 6:23).

So, the good news is this: if we trust Jesus, He will always be with us, and when we die, it won’t be permanent. We will live with Him forever with resurrected bodies made new by Him. • Deb Gardner Allard

• Because of Jesus, death isn’t permanent. How does this truth affect your view of the future?

• What questions do you have about today’s reading? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could bring those questions to?

• Have more questions about eternal life? Learn more on our “Know Jesus” page.

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (CSB)