The Bible describes death as an enemy, not a natural part of life. And it's easy to see why. Death robs us. It sneaks into our lives and overturns our very existence. Death takes away. It seems final. When the time comes to slip from this world to the next, we who are left behind must stand and watch...we cannot make that journey with them. It is a journey we must all make alone.
But if death is not a natural part of life, where did death come from? The answer can be found at the beginning of the Bible, with Adam and Eve. God had given them a command...not to eat of a certain tree. If they did, He said, they would surely die.
We all know what happened. They were tempted, chose to disobey, and as a result, condemned the entire human race to both physical and spiritual death. Death is the result of sin. God has decreed that where there is sin, there is death. God's original creation never had death created within its design. It was the choice of mankind that introduced death and corruption to what God had declared "good." And before sin, God's creation was perfect. The end result of sin was total depravity of the human race, leading to death and separation from God.
Death is an enemy. It steals life from creation and loved ones from family and friends. It destroys joy and leaves in its wake a storm of tears, anger, and confusion. Grief is one of the single worst feelings any human being can feel...because the sting of death is irreversible this side of heaven. No matter what is done or said in support, no human action can ever bring back the deceased. Death's sting leaves us gasping for breath, falling in a pit that has anguish for air, breathing in sorrows that seem to never end. Death, for all intents and purposes, leaves us hopeless. It has stolen from us, and reminds us that we too will have to make that final journey. It is a stark reminder of our own mortality.
Death is also the great equalizer. It makes no distinction between rich and poor, young or old, nationality, religion, or background. No one can ever boast that they are superior to another because in the final analysis, we are all sinners, and all sinners die. Death wipes away arrogance, because one day, we will all suffer the same.
So what hope is there, if we are all sinners, and God has decreed that where there is sin, there is death? We have established that death has entered the world, and we are the target. Our deaths are not going to be postponed...no one dies before or after their time. It is the appointment no one will be late for.
Death leads to judgment. The Bible says everyone will die once...and then face God's judgment. Nothing short of perfection will withstand His wrath. God is horribly angry at sin. His very nature demands that we as sinners be punished for the disobedience we so willingly commit every day. On the day of judgment, we will stand before God...ALONE...while we give account of every word, thought, and deed. And this examination will prove one thing to every human being: in the heavenly courts, before the Judge of all mankind, we are guilty. God's justice is perfect. No one will be undeservedly punished. And we all deserve God's wrath as the sinners we are.
BUT there is hope! Praise be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! God knew we couldn't satisfy His demands in our fallen state (we must remember, God presents His Word to us as fallen human beings, not as sinless people), so while He set the penalty for sin, He also became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ (God the Son in the Trinity), and fulfilled EVERY demand of God's Law. Jesus then went to the cross and took upon Himself the sins of every person who would come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. Christ became sin for us, and God poured out His wrath upon His own Son, punishing our sins to the fullest! Every sin...past, present, future...has been completely paid for in Christ, and so what was the full sting of death (physical AND spiritual) has become a mere shadow. While Christians may still die physically, we no longer will face the terrifying separation from God that awaits all sinners. We do not receive this reward because WE deserve it...but because God has promised Christ that all who believe in Christ will never perish but have eternal life. Jesus' perfect life is credited to us as righteousness, and we receive a pardon because Jesus paid the price in our place. It is NOT our merit that God sees when He looks upon us as Christians...it is the merit of Christ. What an indescribable gift! The Judge has decreed the sentence...and then made Himself the subject of that sentence! Through Christ, we are reconciled with God, and the fear of punishment is replaced with an awe and desire to serve Him in love! This is amazing love! This is amazing grace! Jesus is the One whom death could not keep...and because He has conquered death, we need not fear life after death...if we trust the Lord Jesus Christ's work on the cross, and rest in His finished work, we will never be separated from God. The greatest joy of all will be bestowed upon us undeserving sinners when we slip from this life into the next...we will see God face to face. Our faith will become sight, and we will be in the glorious presence of the Lord forever!
Death still prowls. Death still attempts to rob us and threaten us. But through Christ, death has lost its eternal sting and one day...one glorious day...one indescribable day...Jesus will return. On that day, death will be defeated and destroyed...and we will never suffer death or its effects again. Jesus Christ is death's conqueror...through Him, one day, death will 100% be crushed to death!
And so, even though we mourn the passing of loved ones, even though we grieve...for those whom are found in Christ Jesus, who have been given the grace to repent of their sins and trust Christ for their salvation...we know death signals the end of one life and the beginning of another...a new life, found in Christ our Savior, and lived in the presence of God forever!
Heavenly Father, even now there are millions in this world mourning those death has taken away. Give them...and us...Your peace. Grant us Your life giving grace, so that we may be found deeper in Christ Jesus, and grant those who have not as of yet known Christ the special saving faith that will open their eyes to their sin, bring them to repentance, and bring them into Your family through Christ Jesus. You are the God of all...even death...and we long for the day Christ comes again to eradicate death once and for all, and all who rest in Your Son will worship You face to face, forever and ever. Help us to worship and adore You in spirit and in truth.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
