Lyrics
I Know Jesus
Read together: 1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 9:27–28; Matthew 24:36; 1 Corinthians 2:9; John 17:3; 2 Timothy 1:12; Job 19:25–27; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Peter 1:18–19; John 14:1–6; John 11:25–26; Hebrews 2:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:55–57; Philippians 1:21–23; 1 John 3:2
Sooner or later, someone will ask you what you think happens when we die. It may be a friend at a hospital bed, a coworker after a funeral, or your own heart in the middle of the night. Read 1 Peter 3:15. “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect.”
Scripture is honest that death is real. Read Hebrews 9:27–28. “Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” It is also honest that there is much we do not know. Read Matthew 24:36 and 1 Corinthians 2:9. “No one knows about that day or hour.” “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” We do not have to pretend we can describe every detail of eternity.
But we can know the One who holds it. Read John 17:3. “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” Read 2 Timothy 1:12. Paul wrote from prison, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” Read Job 19:25–27. Long before the cross, Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives… I will see Him for myself.” Our confidence is not in what we know about Heaven. It is in Whom we know.
And no one can earn that place. Read Ephesians 2:8–9 and 1 Peter 1:18–19. “It is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works.” We were redeemed “not with perishable things such as silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ.” Heaven is not won. It was bought, by God’s own Son.
Read John 14:1–6. Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you… I will come back and welcome you into My presence.” When Thomas asked the way, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Read John 11:25–26. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.”
That is why a believer can stop dreading death’s door. Read Hebrews 2:14–15 and 1 Corinthians 15:55–57. Jesus came to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” “Where, O Death, is your sting?… Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” Read Philippians 1:21–23 and 1 John 3:2. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” To depart is to “be with Christ, which is far better.” And “when Christ appears… we will see Him as He is.” Whatever that day looks like, the One we will see is Jesus—and He is enough.
A moment to respond: Write down, in two or three sentences, what you would say if someone asked you today what happens when we die. Center it on Jesus, not on yourself. Then pray for one person by name who needs to know Him, and ask God for a gentle opening to share it. If you are not sure you know Jesus yourself, read John 14:6 and come to Him today—Heaven is His gift, not your achievement.
Let's pray: Lord Jesus, there is so much about that last day we cannot see or say. But we know You. Thank You that You are the resurrection and the life, that You bought our place in Heaven with Your own blood, and that You are coming back for us. Take away our fear of death. Make us ready to give the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect. And when our time comes, let the first face we see be Yours. In Your name, Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that everyone who wonders about death and eternity would come to know Jesus Christ, the One who died for them and is enough for all of eternity.
