The Theology of Sleep

A church deacon once told me I would have made a great anesthesiologist because I was so good at putting people to sleep. That is not high praise for a preacher! I think he was kidding … at least I hope so. Nonetheless, I hope my recent writing on sleep has not lulled you to sleep, but instead has caused you to think about this subject from a Biblical perspective. In this final article, I want to give thought to the theology of sleep. 

We have already noted that sleep is a teacher. Sleep is not only necessary, but it is also a tutor that has much to instruct us, if we will listen and learn. Sleep reminds us that we are not God. Rather, we are limited creatures that require rest for our bodies and minds. Sleep also reveals that God can be trusted. While we lie in bed completely vulnerable, God nightly watches over His children and protects them. Hence, we ought to be a thankful people for the Lord’s goodness in allowing us to sleep soundly and safely.  

But there is one final lesson that I want us to learn from sleep. And here it is: sleep is a portrait of death. As Adrian Reynolds wrote in his book, “And So To Bed,” “sleep is an earthly picture of a spiritual reality.” Simply stated, sleep mirrors death. One day, we will shut our eyes one last time and never open them again. And every night, as we close our eyes and fall asleep, that event in and of itself is a portrait of what will happen to all of us when our time here on earth expires. God has graciously seen to it that humanity has a daily and nightly reminder that death is coming, and we don’t know when. Death is what some ancient writers call the “long sleep.” Many times, I have heard people at a funeral say, ‘He (or she) looks like they’re just sleeping.’ And many a minister has stood by a graveside and said this body is being ‘laid to rest.’” You may have never thought about sleep like this, but you should. Dear reader, one day you will close your eyes and never open them again. There is coming a time when you will breathe your last, and your body will lie lifeless and dormant. So, for the good of your own soul, you should think about this. 

Throughout the Bible, sleep is a portrait of the body in death. Biblical authors are inspired dozens of times to use sleep as a metaphor for death. Let me give you a few examples. Speaking of Israel’s Shepherd King, we read in 1 Kings 2:10, “Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.” You will note King David died, but God’s Word employs the metaphor of sleep to describe his death. The same idea is repeated in 1 Kings 11:43 concerning Solomon, and then again in 1 Kings 14:31 about Rehoboam. Many more examples could be given from the Old Testament, as this comparison is made numerous times in Scripture. 

But even in the New Testament, this beautiful imagery is used. Perhaps you remember in the Gospel according to John, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. But note what the Lord says about this incident prior to the miracle: “After he (Jesus) had said this, he went on to tell them (His disciples), ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.’ His disciples replied, ‘Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.’ However, Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep” (John 11:11-13). Lazarus had died. In fact, he had been dead four days by the time Jesus and His followers arrived in town. Yet, Jesus uses the familiar imagery of sleep to depict his condition. 

One last example, 1 Thessalonians 4:13: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” Notice the language – “sleep in death.” In this passage, Paul is instructing the believers in the city of Thessalonica about what happens to our born-again loved ones when they die. The Apostle does not want them to be uninformed, but knowledgeable about the fact that their bodies are resting in the ground, but their souls are safe in the arms of Jesus. And while it is normal for believers to grieve, they do not grieve as those unbelievers who have no hope. For the Christian’s assurance lies in the living Christ. All over this planet there are thousands of tombstones engraved with these words, “Asleep in Jesus.” But as Paul goes on to say in this passage, there is coming a glorious resurrection morning when Christ will return and “wake up” those sleeping bodies and instantly change them into an immortal body as He reunites body and soul. That is the believer’s hope! 

And while you may not give it a minute’s thought, each night when you go to bed, you are portraying what will one day happen in your own death. Hence, every one of us should prepare for that final sleep by placing our faith in the Resurrection and the Life. Jesus lived as a man and died as a man. But He arose victorious over the grave because the sleep of death had no power over Him. And now, because He lives, we too can live forever if we place our faith in Him. There is a place of eternal rest, not sleep, but rest … for all who trust in Christ for the remission of their sins. 

So, remember, sleep is a precious gift from God that should be valued and not taken for granted. Sleep is also a teacher. It reminds us we are finite creatures who need rest. But sleep is also a portrait of what lies ahead for all mankind. I pray that God will use this series of articles to challenge you to prepare for the day when you will close your eyes one last time, and then usher off into eternity. Until then … good night, sleep tight – and don’t let the sting of sin bite, but find life in Christ alone. And that’s sound advice and good theology that will help you sleep well at night.