Poster Archive : AUGUST 2009
Message: Then What?
Bible verse: John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live".
Max (raises beer): To Greg, eh? Have one for us up there.
Bob: You reckon that's where he is? I mean - that's what we always say. Gone to a better place, right? He's watching us now. But do you really think that? You die - then what?
Max (pats the dog): Well -
Bob: 'Cos Greg - well, let's just say, he had a track record. Not exactly Dad of the year, if you get me.
Max (sipping): Hmm, guess not. He was a pretty funny guy, though!
Bob: Yeah, a hoot. But it wouldn't have been funny to be married to him, I'll bet. 'Specially when he'd had a few. It was bad enough being his boss. Had a shocking temper....
It's pretty awkward, death is. We like to know what's coming next, so we can plan for it, and not look a fool when we get there.
But death? We can't see our way through it. It's a brick wall. It's a huge full stop at the end of our sentence. There really is no light at the end of the tunnel. It makes fools of us all.
So, we comfort each other by saying things we hope are true, when really we have absolutely no idea. It just feels better to say them. "We'll meet again". "You are the wind beneath my wings". Or, as Russell Crowe's Gladiator said: "What we do in life echoes in eternity".
What?! Let's face it. It's sentimental guff, right? Even when Russell says it.
But there is one person who has broken through death, who can answer the question 'then what?' Jesus Christ. He said to his friends once, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live". And then he walked right out of his own tomb as if waking up from a nap.
There was no wishful thinking here. No dreamy sentimental blarney. It was a flesh-and-blood reality. Just as death makes a mockery of us, he made a mockery of death. Those who believe in Jesus don't have to be embarrassed by death anymore. Wouldn't you want a part of it?
Prayer: Dear God, please help me to believe in Jesus so that I might have life. AMEN.