The Hard Truth About Eternity – Greg Laurie Devotion – March 28, 2026

Biblical Context

The Gospel of Matthew gives us a powerful account of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Written by Matthew, also known as Levi, a former tax collector called by Jesus to be one of His twelve apostles, this book was likely written between AD 50 and 70. Matthew’s main goal was to show his primarily Jewish audience that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King who fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies. He often uses phrases like “that it might be fulfilled” to connect Jesus’ life directly to ancient predictions.

The book shows Jesus as the ultimate teacher, giving us clear instructions on how to live in God’s kingdom, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount. It also shows Jesus’ amazing power through many miracles. This final passage, often called the Great Commission, is the big send-off. It’s Jesus’ last command to His followers before He goes back to heaven. It sets the direction for the church, telling us what we’re supposed to be doing until He comes back. It’s a clear call to spread the good news everywhere.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “disciples” from Matthew 28:19. In Greek, this word is mathētēs (μαθητής). It means a learner, a student, someone who follows the teachings of another. It’s more than just a casual follower or someone who agrees with a philosophy; it’s about a deep commitment to learn from, imitate, and practice the instructions of a teacher. A disciple isn’t just someone who knows facts about Jesus; it’s someone who commits their life to live the way Jesus showed us how. This isn’t just about collecting people; it’s about transforming lives into committed followers of Christ.

The Hard Truth About Eternity

The idea of forever is a heavy one, isn’t it? We don’t really spend enough time thinking about where we’ll go after this life ends. But it’s the most important question anyone can ask. We see this truth play out in a deeply moving story about a Christian father who was terminally ill. He called his three sons to his bedside, knowing his time was short.

To his two sons who were believers, he said something that carried both sadness and great hope: “Goodbye, my sons. I will see you in the morning.” Think about the comfort in those words – the certain knowledge that death wasn’t the end, but just a temporary separation before a joyful reunion in God’s presence.

But then, he turned to his third son, and the words were different. Simple. Sad. He just said, “Goodbye, my son.” The difference was clear, and it hit the young man hard. He was deeply disturbed. He couldn’t understand why his goodbye was so different. “Father,” he asked, “why is it you said to my brothers, ‘I will see you in the morning,’ and you only said to me, ‘Goodbye, my son’? Why didn’t you say you would see me in the morning, too?”

His father’s reply, though heartbreaking, was filled with a desperate love to see his son saved. He told him the hard truth: “Son, you have never asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Savior and Lord. And that is what breaks my heart the most. I will never see you again.” Can you imagine the weight of those words? The father, on his deathbed, couldn’t hide the spiritual reality from his son. He had to be real with him.

That honest, loving, but firm truth changed everything for the young man. He began to ask his father how he could be saved, how he could see his father again. The father, with his last strength, told him how to give his life to Christ. The son prayed and received Christ into his life right there by his father’s bedside. What a beautiful moment! After that, his father’s final words were, “Now our family will be together in eternity.” What a difference those few minutes made, turning a goodbye into a future reunion.

Two Futures: A Great Reunion or Sad Judgment

This story isn’t just a nice anecdote; it shows us a powerful truth that can happen for everyone who has put their faith in Christ. It will be a great reunion one day in the future. For those who believe, there’s a promise of forever with God, and with our loved ones who also know Jesus.

But what does the unbeliever have to look forward to? The hard truth is judgment after death and a miserable, empty life on earth. People might find some fun in sin—for a while. It might feel good, or give some temporary joy, but that feeling doesn’t last. Payday comes. The Bible is clear about this. The apostle Paul’s words in Romans 6:23 lay out this difficult reality: “For the wages of sin is death” (nlt). That’s a strong statement. It tells us that sin has a cost, and that cost is eternal separation from God.

The Call to Go: Sharing the Hard Truth with Love

Knowing this truth, knowing what’s at stake, why would we keep it to ourselves? That’s why believers are called to share the gospel far and wide, just as the Christian father in the story did with his son. He didn’t shy away from the hard truth because he loved his son. He wanted to make sure his son knew how to be saved, how to join the family in eternity. This call to share is what’s known as the Great Commission, where Jesus gave His followers these instructions:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 nlt).

This isn’t an optional suggestion; it’s a direct command. We’re meant to go out, teach, and share this amazing hope with everyone, everywhere. It’s a big job, but we’re not alone. Jesus promised to be with us, always.

Our Hope: Eternal Life

Eternal life is the hope believers cling to when the things of this life start to overwhelm us. When things get tough, when sorrow hits, when we face sickness or loss, it’s the hope of forever with God that keeps us going. There’s a reason that John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known passage in all of Scripture. It gets right to the heart of God’s plan for us. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus still feel right and strong today:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (nlt).

God didn’t just casually like us; He loved us enough to give His only Son so we wouldn’t be lost. This isn’t just a hopeful thought; it’s a solid promise. When you put your faith in Jesus, you get eternal life. It’s that simple, yet that earth-shaking.

Don’t Wait, Decide Now

So, what will you do with this hard truth about eternity? Greg Laurie often reminds us, “If you do not commit your life to Christ, ultimately you will look back on your life and realize that you wasted it.” That’s a tough statement, but it’s true. Living a life without Jesus, without a real purpose that points to forever, will lead to regret.

But don’t wait until the end of your life to figure that out. Don’t wait until it’s too late, like the third son almost did. Figure it out now. Make the choice today to give your life to Jesus. It changes everything—your present, your future, and your forever.

Who in your life needs to hear the hard truth about eternity? Don’t hold back. Share this hope with them.