The Truth Will Set You Free // Homecoming, Part 2 [Devo]

Homecoming, Part 2
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My family has a very familiar relationship with death. Two years before I was born, my sister, Kelley Anne, passed away at the age of five from cancer. When I was five, my brother, Christopher, passed away at the age of 19 from the same type of cancer. When I was 14, my mother passed away from breast and lung cancer. Needless to say, my father, my other two siblings, and I have all struggled greatly in light of these losses.

Over the years, one of the recurring ways my loved ones have attempted to comfort me has been to reassure me that my late family members are now watching over me. “You’ve gained a guardian angel” is a sentiment that I have heard more times than I can count. Or when something good happened in my life, I would hear, “I knew your mom was looking out for you.” And in truth, those ideas did bring a level of comfort in the midst of my suffering.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim continued our series “Homecoming” by addressing 10 big questions or misconceptions that many of us have about heaven. The sixth question that Tim handled was, “Do people become angels when they die?” He shared that the clear biblical answer is no. Angels and humans are of a different created order, they are different creatures. People are unique, we were set apart from all of God’s other creations in that we were made in His image!

While I don’t have any hard feelings toward the family and friends who shared about new guardian angels, I do believe that what’s been more freeing for me in the long run is the truth. In John 8, Jesus is speaking with a group of Jews who have come to believe in Him as the Messiah, and he shares this with them in verses 31 and 32:

If we are to be free, the only thing that will lead to real freedom is the truth.

The truth is that my mom, sister and brother, who had all placed their faith in Jesus, are no longer suffering, and in turn, they are experiencing the unexplainable joy of being fully present with our Creator (John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 13:12)!

The truth is that when I am struggling and in need of comfort, I can turn to Christ himself, for His burden is easy and His yoke is light (Matthew 11:30).

The truth is that He is a great High Priest who understands my weaknesses and struggles (Hebrews 4:14-16).

The truth is that He knows what it's like to lose loved ones and the sorrow that brings (John 11:1-44).

The truth is that His grace is sufficient for me, and His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The truth is that while certain platitudes may comfort us momentarily, the only thing that will set us free is the truth (John 8:31-32).

So, I urge you to be a seeker of truth, and in doing so, a seeker of Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). When you have questions, when doubts arise, when troubles come, when storms hit, when loved ones pass, when the world offers a hollow view of what is to come … Look to Jesus.

Author: Andrew Archer, Student Ministry Director