Death: Who's in charge here anyway?
When death comes knocking, we often assume we have to answer. We don't. Sure, "it is appointed once to die". Even God has died. (I hope they include Aslan's line in the movie if they ever make The Silver Chair) We all die (excepting the believers on earth when Christ returns). But, since Jesus has defeated death, and because he's simply God to begin with, we are not at the mercy of death. We don't always have to answer when death knocks because God is bigger than death; he sometimes even undoes it! In any case, death is not the most important part of living. It is merely a transition, especially for Christians.
We are all created as everlasting beings. We are not 'eternal' as such, because we had a beginning, but we participate in eternity because we never have an end. When we die, we simply move out onto the greater stage of being. This life is a choosing ground, an embryonic state, a seed stage for our 'everafter'. It is critically important, but it is merely the womb God created us in. Here, we all decide between eternal life and eternal non-life. And, that choice is all about Jesus.
It's simple: God made us. We are designed to reflect His image, His glory. We fall short of what He made us for. We each fail by nature and by choice. Thus, we are flawed, imperfect, deformed, depraved, sinful. It doesn't really matter how bad we are, we aren't perfect, and God is. It may be graphic, but it's kind of like handing someone a glass of water and saying it's only got a little urine in it. Would you drink it? Would you pollute yourself that way? Because, until sin is dealt with, that's what we're asking God to do, and He can't, because then He wouldn't be holy (pure). So, God came as Jesus, purified us by His blood, and returned to the Father. Problem solved, right? Yes, but God doesn't force anyone to accept His purification. So, we must choose.
Our choice determines our destiny after we die. Do we enter into eternity with God, or without God. These are the only two choices. The devout Buddhist, who believes he will be reincarnated, will not. The Muslim, who dies as a martyr, dies in vain without Jesus. The humanist, who believes there is nothing after death, will be sorely wrong. The church-goer, who never really places his faith in Jesus will have no advantage over these. Only those who believe, trust, and follow Jesus (because they all go together) will enter into eternity with God.
But, here's the fun part. God is bigger than death. He determines when it is allowed to take us. He decides whether an illness or injury ends life or not. He is in control, even of death. Jesus' resurrection proves it. And, we have access to God through Jesus. So, Hannah prays to God and death is cast out of her womb. So, Hezekiah prays, and God changes His mind and lets him live for 15 more years. So, Daniel is cast into the lions den and his friends into the fiery furnace, yet they all live to tell about it. So, Jesus walks by a funeral procession and changes it into a family reunion. So, Lazarus lies dead in the grave over three days and then walks out in his grave clothes. So, Paul prays for a dead boy and he lives again.
Even today, God continues to display His control over death. I've heard the stories. I've talked to the eye witnesses. I believe I've even seen it happen.
One last thought: I heard an urban legend this week. I don't know if it's true or not, and it probably doesn't matter. A soldier was caught deserting, and was sentenced to die by firing squad. It was a small unit and most of his executioners were people who knew him. They were angry that he deserted, but none of them wanted to shoot a man they'd fought beside. So, several were chosen at random, and lined up with their rifles. The deserter was led before them, blindfolded, and the command was given: "Ready!... Aim!... Fire!" All the rifles fired and the man fell to the ground. They checked, and he was truly dead. No pulse, no breath. They buried him outside the camp and his body rotted into the soil. Just what you'd expect, right? Well, it was obviously what he'd expected too. For, when they examined his body after the shooting they discovered that while he was dead, not one bullet had hit him. Everyone of his executioners had missed. He died because he expected to die. He died because death knocked and he answered.
God is bigger than death. So, when death comes knocking, don't assume you have to open the door. Pray to God, and let Him decide. Just be sure you know where you're going to spend eternity in case God decides it's time to let the ole' boy in!
We are all created as everlasting beings. We are not 'eternal' as such, because we had a beginning, but we participate in eternity because we never have an end. When we die, we simply move out onto the greater stage of being. This life is a choosing ground, an embryonic state, a seed stage for our 'everafter'. It is critically important, but it is merely the womb God created us in. Here, we all decide between eternal life and eternal non-life. And, that choice is all about Jesus.
It's simple: God made us. We are designed to reflect His image, His glory. We fall short of what He made us for. We each fail by nature and by choice. Thus, we are flawed, imperfect, deformed, depraved, sinful. It doesn't really matter how bad we are, we aren't perfect, and God is. It may be graphic, but it's kind of like handing someone a glass of water and saying it's only got a little urine in it. Would you drink it? Would you pollute yourself that way? Because, until sin is dealt with, that's what we're asking God to do, and He can't, because then He wouldn't be holy (pure). So, God came as Jesus, purified us by His blood, and returned to the Father. Problem solved, right? Yes, but God doesn't force anyone to accept His purification. So, we must choose.
Our choice determines our destiny after we die. Do we enter into eternity with God, or without God. These are the only two choices. The devout Buddhist, who believes he will be reincarnated, will not. The Muslim, who dies as a martyr, dies in vain without Jesus. The humanist, who believes there is nothing after death, will be sorely wrong. The church-goer, who never really places his faith in Jesus will have no advantage over these. Only those who believe, trust, and follow Jesus (because they all go together) will enter into eternity with God.
But, here's the fun part. God is bigger than death. He determines when it is allowed to take us. He decides whether an illness or injury ends life or not. He is in control, even of death. Jesus' resurrection proves it. And, we have access to God through Jesus. So, Hannah prays to God and death is cast out of her womb. So, Hezekiah prays, and God changes His mind and lets him live for 15 more years. So, Daniel is cast into the lions den and his friends into the fiery furnace, yet they all live to tell about it. So, Jesus walks by a funeral procession and changes it into a family reunion. So, Lazarus lies dead in the grave over three days and then walks out in his grave clothes. So, Paul prays for a dead boy and he lives again.
Even today, God continues to display His control over death. I've heard the stories. I've talked to the eye witnesses. I believe I've even seen it happen.
One last thought: I heard an urban legend this week. I don't know if it's true or not, and it probably doesn't matter. A soldier was caught deserting, and was sentenced to die by firing squad. It was a small unit and most of his executioners were people who knew him. They were angry that he deserted, but none of them wanted to shoot a man they'd fought beside. So, several were chosen at random, and lined up with their rifles. The deserter was led before them, blindfolded, and the command was given: "Ready!... Aim!... Fire!" All the rifles fired and the man fell to the ground. They checked, and he was truly dead. No pulse, no breath. They buried him outside the camp and his body rotted into the soil. Just what you'd expect, right? Well, it was obviously what he'd expected too. For, when they examined his body after the shooting they discovered that while he was dead, not one bullet had hit him. Everyone of his executioners had missed. He died because he expected to die. He died because death knocked and he answered.
God is bigger than death. So, when death comes knocking, don't assume you have to open the door. Pray to God, and let Him decide. Just be sure you know where you're going to spend eternity in case God decides it's time to let the ole' boy in!
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