Read: John 11:17-27

Because of Jesus, we can live forever.

因为耶稣，我们可以永远活着。 

We will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17   

我们就要和主永远同在。-帖撒罗尼迦前书4章17节

People post obituary notices on billboards and concrete block walls in Ghana regularly. Headlines such as Gone Too Soon, Celebration of Life, and What a Shock! announce the passing away of loved ones and the approaching funerals. One I read—In Transition—points to life beyond the grave.

在加纳，人们经常将讣闻张贴在看板与街坊的水泥墙上。像「英年早逝」、「与世长辞」、「永在怀念中」这些醒目的词语，宣告至亲已离开人世与将举行的丧礼。我曾看到一则讣闻写着「更换住处」，表明了生命超越坟墓的限制。

When a close relative or friend dies, we sorrow as Mary and Martha did for their brother Lazarus (John 11:17-27). We miss the departed so much that our hearts break and we weep, as Jesus wept at the passing of His friend (v. 35).

当至亲或密友过世，我们会感到悲伤，就像马利亚和马大因失去兄弟拉撒路而哀痛（约翰福音11章17-27节）。我们因怀念过世的亲人而流泪心碎，耶稣也因着朋友的过世而深感悲痛（35节）。

Yet, it was at this sorrowful moment Jesus made a delightful statement on life after death: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will  live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (v. 25).

但是在众人悲伤之际，耶稣却发出令人欣喜的宣告，谈到了死后的生命，祂说：「复活在我，生命也在我！信我的人，虽然死了，也必复活。凡活着信我的人必永远不死。」（25-26节）

On the basis of this we give departed believers only a temporary farewell. For they “will be with the Lord forever,” Paul emphasizes (1 Thess. 4:17). Of course, farewells are painful, but we can rest assured that they are in the Lord’s safe hands.

由此可见，我们与过世的信徒只不过是暂时离别，正如保罗强调他们「要和主永远同在」（帖撒罗尼迦前书4章17节）。离别固然令人感到悲痛，但是我们可以安心，因确信他们是在上帝安稳的手中。

In Transition suggests that we are only changing from one situation to another. Though life on earth ends for us, we will continue to live forever and better in the next life where Jesus is.“Therefore encourage one another with these words” (v. 18).

「更换住处」意谓着我们只是转换环境和居住的地方。虽然世上的生命结束了，但我们还会永远地活着，而且在耶稣的同在中活得更好。「所以，你们当用这些话彼此劝慰」（18节）。

Prayer 祷告：

It is because of You, Jesus, that we have hope and are sure of a forever life. We’re grateful.

主耶稣，因为祢，我们才有了盼望，并有永生的确据。我们感谢祢！

整理：于姊妹