Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are available here. The first 56 volumes are compiled in the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.

Thanks for spending part of your Sunday reading about the Word of God, and an extra welcome to newcomers. Note that this is a “no-intimidation” Bible study. Even if you have no faith, you might enjoy reading it. Please email me if that applies to you.

This week we continue discussing death according to the New Testament, specifically Jesus from the Gospels. Last Sunday, we explored death with verses from the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. (And thanks to all my loyal readers, the study appeared on Townhall’s “most-read” list most of the day.)

But, before we move ahead, let’s review a key point about death in the Old Testament to provide some foundational context.

God created the first human from dust, and into the ground we shall return, while our immortal spirit returns to the Creator. (See Genesis 2:7 and Ecclesiastes 12:7).

The New Testament’s view of death is more hopeful because of Jesus, who has the power to overcome death and offers the promise of eternal life. (Notice that I wrote “has the power” because HE LIVES.)

Through faith in Jesus, our existence continues beyond the funeral. Of course, death brings great pain to loved ones left behind, but for believers, the gift of a resurrected body with Jesus forever and ever means death need never be feared. Our time on earth is a blink compared to what awaits us in our eternal home.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeats the message of the following teaching in different ways. Nonetheless, this setting, recorded only in the Gospel of John, is the most personal and powerful. Jesus speaks with Martha, the sister of Lazarus, before He raises Lazarus from the dead. Of course, she does not........

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