Death is an enemy. That is a truth that has been driven home to my mind and heart this week. Death is unwanted, unwelcome and rightfully despised as a destroyer of God’s good creation. As the people of God, we see death in a different light from the unbeliever but that does not mean we are unaffected by it. Death is the fruit of sin and rebellion. It is the devastating fruit of the fall in Genesis 3. As such, I hate it. I hate the pain and heartache it brings. Yes, by the grace of God, death releases us from the heartache and struggle of this life, “To be absent from the body is to be with the LORD.” The child of God, through death, leaves the land of the dying to enter the land of the living thus death has lost its sting and the grave is robbed of its victory but death, itself, is part of the curse. Over the last three days I’ve conducted two funerals. I stood at the grave with people I love and bid farewell to people I love, fully assured that I would see them again. While comforted in the knowledge that they were at peace, knowing their struggle was over, I could rejoice and yet I still despise the pain of loss and the heartache of separation. This morning, on my way to the office, I received a call telling me of another death. As we gathered around Cindy’s bed and prayed, I was comforted by the thought of her heavenly joy but angered by the thought of the pain it brought to her husband, parents, grandparents, siblings and
friends.
Yes, I can rejoice in the goodness and grace of God. I’m comforted by the promises of God’s word and the presence of the Spirit of God and yet, I hate death. I am glad that Christ has conquered death and I’m grateful there is coming a day for us when death will be no more. The older I get, the sweeter heaven grows as more and more of the people I love are there. At the same time, as a pastor, every time I stand at the grave and preside over the committal of one of my flock, a little piece of me dies. And I whisper, “Death, I hate you.”
That’s just been on my mind today. I’ll see you Sunday!
Rod