Death and Life

I didn’t write about it last week, but last Monday would have been my Mom’s 84th birthday. Last Thursday marked the 17th anniversary of her death. I will never forget that Thursday morning.  I sat up her through the night, catching an occasional catnap, and listening with care for her breathing.

            Around 6:30 am I was wide-awake, and I knew that the end was near.  I moved from the recliner to a kitchen chair, sat by her bed, and held her hand.  About 7:30 that morning she took her last breath. 

            I was a few months shy of my 46th birthday at the time.  It seemed far to early to me to lose the one who gave me life.  We had known for nine months that the cancer was fatal. We had been given time to prepare for what was to come. But there is nothing that can fully prepare you for that moment.

            As I ponder the fragile nature of life in this world, I cannot help but be thrilled by the teachings of the Bible.  Christians the world over celebrate Easter this coming Sunday, recalling the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

            Death is a troubling experience for us, as it should be. Paul refers to it as our enemy. Even Jesus cried at the death of his friend, Lazarus.  The truth is that death was not God’s intent for us. It came to be as a result of sin.  We were created for eternity, and it is the resurrection of Jesus that makes it possible for us to experience that eternity.

            I am fully aware that resurrection is a difficult concept for many.  It is not natural. It is in fact, supernatural.  But I want you to know this for sure. If there is a God, and if He is great enough to have created all that is, and if He became flesh and dwelt among us, and if He was put to death on the cross, then He is also risen, and because He lives, we, too, can live.

            I have placed all of my hope in the living Lord, Jesus Christ.  I believe that His death is sufficient for the forgiveness of my sin, and that His resurrection assures that I can be raised as well.  His only requirement? That you trust in Him.  In this Easter season, I implore you to put your trust in the One who has conquered death. His name is Jesus.