Holding my two-week-old granddaughter in my arms as she sleeps, I look out the window and spot bright green leaves sprouting from bare stubs on a crepe myrtle tree. On the ground, surrounded by dry brown grass, lovely amaryllises lift their fresh flowery faces to the sun. Spring has sprung and ushers in new life.

My thoughts drift to my best friend who sits beside her father nearing the end of his life. It’s a comfort to know He loves Jesus and will soon be rejoicing in the Lord’s presence.

I can’t seem to separate the death from life and I don’t believe it’s an accident. The Creator of all living things is also the author of metaphor. Nature points to eternal truth and to the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to them, “The hour is near for the Son of Man to be taken to heaven to receive great honor.  For sure, I tell you, unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it will only be a seed. If it dies, it will give much grain.” John 12:23-4 NIV

When you plant a seed, it must die before it starts new life. I Corinthians 15:36 NIV

Death is not the end of life. For those who put their trust in Jesus Christ, a new and glorious life is before them—before us. I find hope and comfort in this knowledge.

Your dead will live. Their dead bodies will rise. You who lie in the dust, wake up and call out for joy. For as the water on the grass in the morning brings new life, the earth will bring back to life those who have been dead. Isaiah 26:19 NIV

When you were baptized, you were buried as Christ was buried. When you were raised up in baptism, you were raised as Christ was raised. You were raised to a new life by putting your trust in God. It was God Who raised Jesus from the dead. Colossians 2:12 NIV

All men will die as Adam died. But all those who belong to Christ will be raised to new life. I Corinthians 15:22 NIV

For if a man belongs to Christ, he is a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun. II Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead. I Peter 1:3 NIV