Mar
14
2016
The Sting Of Death
Posted in Faith 2 Comments
Driving home from church, I saw them.
A group of people were standing in a circle underneath a tree.
Their heads were bowed.
The mood was somber.
The writer in me connected the dots as I looked at the scene.
Since one man was holding what appeared to be a Bible, I concluded that it was a funeral.
Since children were part of the group, I concluded that it was probably a family pet.
The clouds were gray and no sun was shining, which seemed appropriate.
I wondered about the animal they were burying.
I wondered about the memories of running around that very yard.
I wondered how many times a ball was thrown and fetched.
I wondered if there were quiet moments laying under that same tree with their faithful friend.
We live in a death impregnated world.
Every day there is sadness over the loss of a loved one.
Every day there are tears that were never supposed to be shed.
Every day someone is grieving.
I entered the funeral home a few nights ago.
I came with a friend, since neither of us wanted to visit the family alone.
This was a double funeral.
A husband and wife died nine days apart.
A husband and wife who were married 62 years.
A husband and wife who were mother and father to five children.
A husband and wife who were grandparents to nine grandchildren.
A husband and wife who were friends to many.
I never met either of them, though I feel as if I know them.
I was there to support my friend, who is one of their daughters.
She is a wife and a mother of two children herself.
She is also a nurse; she honored her parents well.
I listened to her talk of decisions she and her siblings had to make.
Decisions to sell a family home.
Decisions about assisted living.
Decisions about the time to move them to hospice care.
There was profound sadness when their health was failing.
These vibrant people were slowly being robbed of their vitality and their joie de vivre.
The enemy is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
However, the enemy does not have the last word.
I declare to your brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is in the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:50-56)
When I walked into the funeral home, I saw the son of my friend.
He spotted me as I walked in the door.
I immediately went over to him and hugged him.
This precious young man melted my heart.
He is at an age where hugs are reserved for special people.
He is at an age where I have learned to take my cues from him.
However, this was different.
A hug was the only thing that made sense.
How are you doing? I asked already knowing the answer.
I know that it is not easy to lose your grandparents only nine days apart.
It’s hard, he said after a long sigh, as he put his hands in his pockets.
This is a hard time for my family, he added, sounding much older than his years.
How’s your Mom, doing? I said caring about my heartbroken friend.
She’s really sad…this is a hard time, he said looking down at his shoes.
I saw the young boy standing on the verge of manhood before my eyes.
I saw in his mannerisms and his demeanor that he is his father’s son.
The sting of death robbed this family of their beloved parents and grandparents.
The sting of death ended two earthly lives filled with laughter, and family, and moments.
All the poster boards that held the many pictures, captured the essence of this couple.
Each easel held snapshots of life, snippets of memories, and moments in time.
I could feel my throat tightening as I looked at each one.
O, death, where is your victory?
The death knell can only be faintly heard in the distance.
In its place, the sound of victory; the sound of a trumpet fills the air.
I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25)
In this death impregnated world, that is the question we must all ask.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross and rose three days later?
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins?
Do you believe that Jesus died the death that we deserve so that we could have eternal life?
We grieve, but not as one without hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
My friend’s son was right, it is hard; this is not the way it is supposed to be.
We were made for eternal life with our Father in heaven.
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him.
Do you believe this?
If you believe this death will lose its sting.
If you believe this death will be defeated.
If you believe this you will live.
One day, it will not be hard any more.
One day, every tear will be wiped away.
One day, the trumpet call of God will sound in victory.
One day.
Do you believe this?
Come, Lord Jesus.
Beautiful Gina…as always!! And such an encouragement to our own hearts that we never get tired of hearing. Thank you for this wonderful reminder…especially as we will soon be approaching Resurrection Sunday…a day of true celebration of Jesus Christ!!
Carolyn Hunt
Carolyn,
You are so right! Our faith rests on the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. He is alive and lives to intercede for us. Jesus’ work is finished. He is seated at the right hand of His Father. Amen!
Gina