The subject of death and dying has received increased attention in recent years as people seek ways to be better prepared to deal with what appears to be the inevitable conclusion to mortal existence. In this effort we cannot afford to overlook the message of Christ Jesus' resurrection from the grave, as well as the fact that he raised others from death. These experiences can profoundly affect our understanding of life and death. For many people, these experiences give hope, and even evidence of immortality. The realization that our life involves something much larger than what is seen between cradle and grave helps relieve in some degree the fear that often accompanies a belief in death as final. Jesus' resurrection was for the benefit of all mankind. Because of what he proved, we all have the privilege of learning to live as victors over death.
The Apostle Paul understood this so well that he was able to face death, or the threat of it, on several occasions without flinching. In fact, he mocked it, saying: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Cor. 15:55, 57 Paul knew that even if the mortal body appeared to die, his true life would continue because man's individuality and nature are wholly spiritual. He writes, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." II Cor. 5:1
Jesus fully proved through his healing work that life is not material but spiritual, dependent on God, ever-present Love, rather than on potentially fatal laws of matter. As we learn this, we no longer fear that individual identity can ever be lost, annihilated, or even temporarily incapacitated either by confinement in or by ejection from a mortal body.
