Stonehenge is a symbol most of us recognize as relating to the afterlife. All the world over, people have to face death sometime. This week I came though a delicate neck surgery OK. But it could have just as easily NOT been OK, as the time I spent in ICU revealed. Before the surgery, the "odds" for a favorable outcome seemed good, but I have had surgery in that general area twice before, so I was forced to consider the possibility that I would not make it. Somehow, it didn't bother me because I remembered this passage from the book of Acts.Acts 2:22-37
22 "Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.25 For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;27 Because you will not leave my soul in Hades, Neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.28 You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.'29 "Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.34 For David didn't ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand,35 Until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'36 "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"WEB
22 "Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.25 For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;27 Because you will not leave my soul in Hades, Neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.28 You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.'29 "Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.34 For David didn't ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand,35 Until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'36 "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"WEB
For me, this passage settles the matter; Jesus has taken care of the "little problem" of death, so really its no big deal. However, I know of quite a few others for whom it will be a "big problem" and if you find yourself in this category, then perhaps you might ask yourself the question found in verse 37. Don't look to "stones", or "stars" or "good works" to solve your problems, rather look to Jesus instead. If you have a few minutes, go to Acts 2 and read the next verse (38), and you will see the answer Peter and the Apostles gave in response to this question. That answer still works today; no problem!