A Topic Avoided

Not a day goes by without this topic being mentioned.

Story lines are crowded with the mention of this painful reality on daily network and cable newscasts. Plots are developed around the theme of this dreaded subject made fascinating through weekly TV series and at your local AMC Theater. From "CSI" to 'The Soprano's", the subject of death takes on different angles, from those who kill, to those who solve the killing crimes, to those who grieve over their dead.

That may seem extreme on a surface look, but in truth, we are horrified and yet consumed by the reality of death.

Today a young corporate middle manager in the corner office will get the medical report back from his doctor with a chilling prognosis. Today, a family will grieve around the lifeless body of a son, killed in an auto accident. Today, a widow weeps over the freshly dug grave about to receive the casket cradling her Life Partner of 43 years. Today, a military Chaplain will walk up the driveway to a home, delivering to tearful parents the news of their patriot child's laying down of his life on the battlefield.

Most of us have been touched by the reality of death in some way or another. My first taste of death was the passing on of my favorite Aunt when I was just a child. To this day, the unforgettable look on my Dad's face when the news broke is etched in my middle aged mind. His shock and pain was obvious. His grief was very real. Sadness gripped my soul for my Dad, and then for me.

From that time until my late teens, I avoided talking about the topic of death. I did not understand death. Like those I knew, this was never a comfortable conversation piece. Death and dying was brutal, ugly and final. I wondered about what happened to those who had died...and what would happen to me when I died. All I had to do to avoid the issue of death was to jump on my bike and ride, grab a baseball and play catch with my brother, or turn my stereo up as loud as it could be cranked. In each case, (and many others), I could simply defer this topic until the ugly issue came up at a later date.

"Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?" Mark 12:24

Here is the key, spoken to us by the Son of God, who Himself was about to face a death beyond any brutality ever experienced by the dying. He was about to become sin! The sinless Son of God, dispatched from glory to rescue the eternally dying, would offer up His own life as a Guilt Offering for those who were actually guilty!

We are confused about death because we do not know His Word or His promises! It is true that 'sin leads to death', (Romans 6:16), and that the wages (payment) for sin is death, (Romans 6:23). For those in Christ, the power of sin is broken and the death payment is satisfied. When we lack knowledge of the Scriptures on this gigantic subject, our only course of action is deferment of this reality, or behaving in a way that leaves our spent lives without accountability.

This is 'Passion Week'. This is the week that we recognize that the atoning death and powerful resurrection of Jesus Christ in our behalf. This knowledge alone leads to relationship with Him that is current and lasting. This reversal of the sting of death, making it's inevitability depressing, offers instead an anxiousness to be united with our Redeemer and those others that are in Christ who have gone on before us. Death is not final to the believer. It is the passage that leads to eternal celebration, heavenly rest, and timeless triumph through our Beloved Savior.

"I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are badly mistaken!" Mark 12:27

This single statement of Jesus is loaded with meaning! He states that these patriarchs are not dead but alive! He teaches to all who will lend an ear that knowing Him is the pathway to Life, not death...and to make no mistake about it!

Dying can indeed be tragic, saddening and painful. If there was no guarantee of Resurrection, our avoiding this topic is understandable. Yes, we will grieve the loss of those we have known and loved, and share in sympathy with those who are being impacted personally by the passing on of those they have loved. Yet, in looking squarely into the eyes of death Himself, Jesus the Christ knew the outcome;

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the Father...consider Him, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3

This is the topic that you cannot avoid...and need make no mistake concerning. Today, look forward to your being joined to Him throughout eternity. When you do, your earthly sojourn is just that...a passing through to your being joyfully with your Loving Redeemer Who is passionate about you!