Read: Ecclesiastes 9

In Solomon’s exploration of life and its purpose, he also explored death. He concluded that death comes to all regardless of position, power or belief system. And in this, he is correct. One hundred percent of us will die.

Because he writes trying to find meaning apart from God, his conclusion is quite sour. It reminds me of Paul’s concern in his first letter to the Corinthians. Some of the new believers questioned if the dead would be resurrected. Paul addresses this by saying that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ did not rise. And if Christ did not rise, then the apostles are all lying about God. He continues with this line of reasoning in 1 Corinthians 15:12 and following. Most important of all is his final few thoughts:

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

I Corinthians 15:17-20

Solomon is correct. We all die. And without Christ, death is final. But because Christ has been raised, not only our death, but our life has fresh purpose and meaning.

Do you know the hope of life, both now and forever, because Jesus overcame death?