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| The final frontier is not outer space or cyber space; it is death and what lies beyond – eternity. Death is the ultimate destiny that no one can avoid. But this is not something our culture is comfortable with. Our ongoing quest for the Fountain of Youth is pathetic because it is not just about being fit. It is about postponing and denying the inevitable. Look at the lengths we go to in order to preserve, maintain and create the illusion of youthfulness. Tremendous amounts of money, time and energy are spent to keep in shape, to get implants, or to buy just the right clothes. We want to look good and feel good – six pack abs, wrinkle free, no more gray. It seems that the only ones who embrace aging are those who give up, get fat and lazy, and think “I might as well enjoy myself.” Many thinkers have been driven to despair in contemplation of death. American playwright and novelist, William Saroyan phoned the Associated Press five days before his death to make this statement: “Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?” William Shakespeare speaking through MacBeth’s famous soliloquy wrote this: “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.” Others choose to joke about it to keep it at arm’s length. Woody Allen quipped: “the chief problem with death is the fear that there may be no afterlife, a depressing thought, particularly for those who have bothered to shave . . . I do not believe in an afterlife, although I am bringing a change in underwear.” Several years ago the United Press released an article entitled: DEAD WOMAN ASKED TO PROVE IT. The article said: “Social security officials sent a letter to a Fort Lauderdale woman who died in December, asking her to appear at the local agency office to present proof of her death.” Her son reported that it was a form letter with a hand written note that said, “We’ve received a report that you may be deceased. Please come in with proof of your identity.” If you have not read or watched Tuesdays With Morrie I recommend it to you. Morrie is dying of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and he is full of wisdom. He says, “I don’t want to be 23 again; this is my time to be 76.” While he manages to put a positive spin on death, it is still spin. For Morrie the meaning of life is about loving and being loved – pretty good. But even that is mortal! In the end Morrie only has the hope of living on in the memories of those he has touched. For him, the end is still the end. But at a funeral you rarely hear “That’s it; when you are dead you are dead; he’s gone forever.” Many people choose to believe that and I suppose there is a measure of comfort in it for those who do not relish the idea of being held accountable in the next life. But still, it is never offered as comfort to those who are bereaved. Most do not know what to say so they offer platitudes like: “He is no longer suffering,” “She is in a better place,” “You’ll see him again in Heaven.” Often these are nothing more than empty wishes anchored in about as much confidence as a pick-six lottery selection. No wonder we don’t like thinking about death. And there is no technology that can defeat and prevent death – cryonics doesn’t work. Our mortality and our wearing out are both inevitable. As William Saroyan said, “What now?” The gospel of Jesus Christ is about His death and resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul declares that without the resurrection Christianity is pathetic. It is a foolish exercise of denial. Such a faith would be stupid if Christ did not rise from the dead! The resurrection of Jesus is the final proof of all His claims and it is the guarantee of His followers’ resurrection. The resurrection involves a transformation from mortal to immortal, from physical to spiritual bodies. And this transformation is guaranteed by Christ’s own resurrection. This is why Easter, the commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the high holy day of the Christian faith. Today Christians celebrate with a joyous abandon because the resurrection of Jesus Christ has definitively answered all our questions, fears, and uncertainties about what lies beyond death. We worship a LIVING God and death is not a dead end. For all who believe in Him Jesus obtained a secure future with Him forever – Hallelujah (Praise God)! |
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by Dr. J. Patrick Curtis, Senior Pastor |
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