Genesis 50:25-26
“Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.”
Reflection:
When a person dies, the body remains on earth while the soul of the person passes immediately into condemnation or into everlasting life. This truth has sometimes led Christians to show little to no respect for the body of the person who remains. However, it is fitting and appropriate for Christians to properly bury the body of a loved one who has died for two reasons. First, you give honor to the person who has died. In so doing, you not only remember the life of the person but you also create a space where the person can continue to be remembered and honored. Second, giving a proper burial also provides an opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for the person who has passed. We do not discard the body carelessly or thoughtlessly. We considerately lay the person to rest in order to provide an opportunity to give thanks to God for how He gave us that person, how He planned to bring that person into our lives in order to help and strengthen us.
Encouragement:
Think of someone who has passed and give thanks to God for how that person was part of your life.
In Christ,
Pastor Yonkman