“Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.”                  Genesis 23:1,2 NIV

The pilgrimage of death must be taken by everyone. Our loved ones die, and we die. We die far, far too soon. Life is extremely short. In fact, one of the most shocking facts of life is the brevity of life. When we reach older age, the shortness of life strikes us with a shock that can be most disturbing. The sense that life is soon to be over is an ever-present reality. We know that our bodies are about to wear out and run down, that the cold, dark hands of death are about to snatch us out of this world, and that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, we can do about it. Death is going to take us away. Facing death can be made much easier by studying and remembering this experience of Abraham. Just as Abraham’s faith enabled him to deal with the death of his dear wife Sarah, so our faith as believers can empower us to confront the death of our loved ones. In Genesis 23, we see Abraham expressing sorrow and grief. He wept and mourned. He acted responsibly for he arose and did not allow himself to become overwhelmed with grief. He confessed his faith even though he was a stranger and sojourner on earth whose hope was for a permanent home. He gave strong testimony in all funeral arrangements, and he buried his loved one, Sarah, in faith and love. We, like Abraham, are called to be the same, strengthened through our faith in the Risen Ascended Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus, we face the pilgrimage of death in Your Risen Presence.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord Jesus, thank You that we too can face the pilgrimage of death, through Your abiding presence in the power and ministry of Your indwelling Holy Spirit. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Luke 22:54-62

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