Jesus Had No Obituary

 

Many of us often make it a habit of reading the obituaries to see which one of our classmates, co-workers, friends, and family have gone on to meet their re­ward. Obituaries tell us about where a person was born, lived, one’s immediate family history, one’s occupation, hobbies, and many other things, as well as times of the funeral and burial location. These notices of death are a daily reminder that our life on earth is not permanent. Obitu­aries have finality to them; they become a permanent record and reminder that a loved one is not present with us in this life any more.

As one reads the Bible it becomes very clear that Jesus never had an obitu­ary. We read about His birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 1:18 – 2:6). We can learn about His family (Matthew 1:1-17). We can learn about much of His life and ministry in the Gospel writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We can also learn about the events leading up to His death and His actual death upon the cross in these same passages of the Bible. But the one thing no one can find in the Bible is Jesus’ obituary.

[1 Corinthians 15:1-4] “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also…”

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 Paul continues to teach, “…Christ indeed has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all died, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the first-fruits; the, when he comes, those who belong to him.” Because Jesus, by the power of God, was raised from the dead, His death was not the end. The Bible also makes it clear that not only did Jesus raise from the dead but all people will be raised at Jesus’ second coming, some to a resurrection of life; others to the res­urrection of condemnation (John 5:24-29). Those who obey Jesus’ doctrine which “reenacts” the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ through faith, re­pentance, and baptism (Acts 2:38-40; Romans 6:1-4, 17) are cleansed from their sins, and those who continue to be faithful to Christ, have the hope of being raised at His second coming to be with Christ forever in heaven (1 Thessa­lonians 4:13-17).  Jesus’ death was not permanent; His grave was not final; the tomb was not Jesus’ final resting place. Jesus does not have an obituary because Jesus did not remain in the grave. Jesus death, burial, and resurrection is the “good news” of the Bible. Jesus does not have an obituary. He came not to have an ending but bring a new beginning. What will your obituary say? Will it tell how you lived because you followed the One who arose from the grave and never had an obituary? Have you been saved? Where does your hope in life stand? Before the court of the Sanhedrin, Paul said, “…I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6). Could you be accused of awaiting the resurrection in the hope of being with Jesus forever? No hope – No life. God wants you to be with Him for eternity (2 Peter 3:9-16).