
Last weekend we gathered around our dining table with a group of dear friends. We’re all long-time friends and have a great time laughing and sharing together. When our talk turned to serious matters it was hard to not sense the gravity of the subject. Three families are dealing with aging parents and caregiving. The other two are dealing with their own chronic health illnesses and caregiving. Quiet pauses were followed by somber expressions all around. These are things most of us would rather avoid discussing until they’re staring us in the face. After all, we are all touched by death and it is inevitable for us all. Serious illness magnifies the need to discuss hard topics. Our conversations brought perspective to the mortality we all face. Now, saying “goodbye” has taken on a new, weightier meaning.
This week I heard a Jewish speaker mention that this is the week of Feast of Tabernacles. Jews observe this by building a simple and temporary structure or shelter, a sukkot. Jesus also celebrated this tradition. Observers of the tradition eat their meals in it and some also sleep in it. It sounds a little like a tent to me. I can’t adequately explain all the wonderful significance of it but you can research further if you’d like with the link I’ve copied below*. The Apostle Paul, when relating that Jesus by his death and resurrection has overcome death likens the mortal body to a tent. In 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, he explains, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”
Our earthly bodies were never meant to last forever and some of us are daily reminded of it! Discussing death can seem morbid but as believers we have this hope and assurance from God’s word.
I Corinthians 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer-self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” As we age, this passage becomes part of our experience.
Jesus was sent by God to live among us and gives all believers the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, a deposit, that we will live forever with the Lord in Heaven. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
This intricate human body that God gave us is amazing but is our temporary home. The Scriptures assure us that when we leave this body, when we die, we will go directly into God’s presence (1 Corinthians 5:8). Someday we will have glorified bodies like Jesus’ resurrection body. And God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”(Rev. 21:4) There will be no more “Goodbyes”.
I look forward to the reunion of all those who have gone on before me. We are to – “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) This is our hope! 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h] 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”[I] 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
*For further study click here: Sukkot: Feast of Tabernacle