In the book of II Kings, the fourth chapter, we have some interesting stories about the prophet Elisha. There is a woman, whose name is never mentioned, that befriended the prophet by feeding him and providing a place for him to sleep. The woman was childless. So, God blessed the woman by giving her a son. Some years later the little boy suddenly complained of pain in his head and soon died. The woman went to see the prophet. She was greeted with the words, “Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.,”

The story goes on to show how the prophet Elisha went to the son’s dead body and brought him back to life. But our point today is to observe the faith of the woman who, grieving over the death of her, son was able to give a remarkable statement that all was well. She had a perspective about God; about life; about death that kept the important things in view. Of course she would like her son back, but her bright outlook on life would not be destroyed by this sudden loss. We do not know that she expected the prophet to bring her son back to life. But in time of sorrow and loss, she wanted to go to one who spoke for God and could comfort her and pray for her.

It is well?
• She had a family. Only by the grace of God she had been able to have a baby.
• Though he did not live long, she experienced love and joy with him in the home.
• Now, that son was in the hands of God.
• She would one day see him again, when she passed on into God’s hands.
• King David had lost a child. His faithful words comfort us, “…I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me…” (II Samuel 12:23).
• Her son was now a treasure, laid up for her a later time.

Today, through the Gospel of Christ and the revelation of the New Testament, we know more about death and eternity than that faithful woman did over 2500 years ago.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die…” (John 11:25-26).

Death means “separation.” When a person dies, their spirit and soul are separated from their body. But the more important thing is called “the second death” – when a person’s spirit and soul are separated from God. Jesus is telling us that when a person leaves this life, if they have believed and trusted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, they will immediately be in the presence of the Lord and never be separated from Him. Or, as the apostle Paul says it, “…absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord.” (II Corinthians 5:8).

But Jesus also warned unbelievers, “…I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come…you shall die in your sins; for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.” (John 8:21, 24). Jesus said that we must “…believe…that I am he…” What does that mean?,/p>

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

“Truly, truly I say unto you, he that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-3,6)

So, Is it well with you?

Have you put your faith in the Son of God; the Christ (Messiah = “anointed one”)? He is the One – The Only One, that the Father sent to be the Savior of the world. No normal man could pay for their own sins. No normal man can change their own heart make things right. God himself had to become a man and dwell with us – not just setting an example, but living a worthy, sinless life that could be offered as a sacrifice - a substitute payment for our sinful lives. The resurrected Christ now provides forgiveness and a new life. We call it the new birth – when Jesus comes to live within the person who receives him as Lord and Savior.

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23).

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29).