Father, we thank you for Jesus, because it's only through him we can have life.
Last week we looked at mortality, this week we'll look at immortality. Immortality means having 'endless life'. The Collins Dictionary adds "not subject to death or decay" which is a very significant distinction.
I've talked to quite a few people who looked on immortality and everlasting life as something to be avoided. They simply wouldn't want to spend forever in a world with all its problems; hate, war, greed, problems with the climate, poisons, etc, and this misunderstanding that they'll be spending forever up in the clouds is even worse. And to be honest, I don't blame them. Fortunately the Bible doesn't teach either of those. Yes, the world has its problems, but God wants them put right. God created the world and "saw that it was good". One day it will back like that again.
If we were given the choice to be anywhere, doing anything what would we choose?
The answer to that question probably sums up our entire being. There's some things that may be different from other people, but I bet many are the same; having enough good food, being warm and sheltered, being with friends, not having any problems or arguments. In short, being comfortable and happy.
Some people like to be in a crowd, some like peace and quiet. Some like both. People are different. But God has chosen those who He wants. And he knows exactly what we like. And He wants to give it to us.
So how can we get this wonderful state of affairs?
God sent Jesus to be the "firstfruits of those who slept" - to be the first person to rise from the dead to life eternal. He was the first, but he has offered us the same opportunity.
One of the things I've noticed about getting older is the aches and pains seem to take a lot longer to go away. There's one young lad who dislocated his shoulder last week playing rugby. I asked him how long it was going to be until he could play again and he responded "I'm playing on Monday". I had a stiff knee and it took 3 months before I could play golf again! And the cold weather up here hasn't helped either. Normally I love the cold, but the past few weeks have left me with a few more aches and stiff joints. I can't say I'm exactly looking forward to getting any older. At least not the way the world is now.
But fortunately, as the Collins Dictionary mentioned "not subject to death or decay". And that doesn't mean not getting any worse, but being physically fit again.
There's lots of people who are much worse off than I am. But the Bible tells us that everyone will be happy and perfect. To close, some verses from one of my favourite chapters, Isaiah 35;
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert... And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."