Death - The Final Frontier

I missed a day on this blog because I was with a family that unexpectedly lost their mother/wife at the relatively young age of 62. Death is something that most of us are able to successfully remove from our minds most of the time. But there are times when we can ignore it no longer. For me, and for this family, this is one of those times. So, some thoughts about death. First, death puts everything in perspective. The simple fact is that if death really is the end of existence, as modern naturalists insist, then death is the ultimate reminder of the futility of life. If this natural world is all there is, then nothing, and I mean nothing, we do is of any significant consequence. Even what we do for others is unimportant, as they, too, will die, along with the entire universe eventually. I know many who have tried to make life significant in the face of this, but all of it falls flat. Likewise, if the eastern religions are correct about life being about coming back again and again until we get it right, at which time we finally get off the wheel and die eternally, then again, there is no significance or meaning to life. If Judaism is correct and God will judge us based on how faithful we were to our own traditions, that gives some kind of comfort, but no real knowledge of what awaits us. But if Christianity is correct, then this life assumes eternal significance, since it is here where we make the decision that will determine our eternal state. The question, of course, is how do we know which of these and other traditions is correct? And the answer that has satisfied me is: only Christianity has a bona-fide historical occurrence to confirm its worldview. And that occurrence is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I will not go into all the historical evidence for the resurrection - that is more than I have room for in one blog. But I am convinced on historical grounds that Jesus Christ did indeed physically raise from the dead three days after he was declared dead by the Roman Empire - a group that was expert at both delivering a death sentence as well as verifying that it had actually been carried out. That resurrection is the ultimate stamp of authority for all that Jesus said and did. And that means that real, true significance is possible. In fact, it is guaranteed. What we do in this life matters! So, this Saturday, we will celebrate not just the life of a saint of God who has now met her Savior face to face, but the eternal life of that saint. Because in this life, she decided to avail herself of the offer that God has made. I will miss her, as will her family and loved ones and friends. But I will not mourn for her. She is in the presence of the one to whom she dedicated her whole life. And she has realized the significance of that life. Carol - I will meet you there!

Pastor Ken