March-April 1999
Facing Death
by Luis Palau
One of the most difficult trials each of us will face is the death of a loved one. It is hard to keep things in perspective when death strikes so close to home, isn't it?
Humans strive frantically to prolong life and overcome death's power. Physicians use extraordinary measures to keep the sick and dying alive just a little longer through wonder drugs, organ transplants and sophisticated machinery. That was certainly the case when my nephew, Kenneth, was dying of AIDS several years ago.
But death continues harvesting its fruit without prejudice toward age, race, social level or education. Death continues to be cynical, cruel and real. No one escapes from its cold fingers. Our appointment is sure. Neither money, fame nor intelligence exempt us from death; everyone succumbs.
Complete Assurance
How should we respond as believers when a dearly loved Christian relative or friend dies?
Shortly before my father died, he suddenly sat up in bed and sang a chorus about heaven. Then he fell back on his pillow and said, "I'm going to be with Jesus, which is far better."
My father had committed his life to Jesus Christ nine years earlier and was confident he would spend eternity with the Lord. He was 36 years old when he went to glory; I was only 10 at the time.
He died just hours before I returned home from a term at boarding school. I had no way of knowing what had happened as I stepped off the train that day and ran home. But as I neared my house I could hear weeping.
| "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." |
My relatives tried to intercept me as I ran through the gate and up to the house. I brushed past them and was in the door before my mother even knew I was back. Tears filled my eyes when I saw my father's expired body lying in front of me.
I felt devastated by my father's death. My world seemed shattered and confused. I was angry at everything and everybody. It isn't fair, I thought. Why couldn't my dad die in old age like other dads?
A missionary delivered the message before my father's burial the next morning. Oh, I still missed my dad terribly. I still felt the pangs of grief. But I rested in the hope that one day, when my pilgrimage is over, I will see him again.
Grief
Grief is a normal part of facing the death of a loved one. We grieve at the death of other believers, but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Jesus gives us these words of comfort: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). That is our blessed hope as believers!
Yes, the grieving process is absolutely normal for our emotional and physical well-being. But as Christians we do not have to be swallowed up in that grief, or allow anger or bitterness to take root in our hearts.
We can face death with hope, realizing it is not the end. Death is merely earth's door to heaven.
| If we have committed our lives to Jesus Christ, we have a glorious future awaiting us beyond death's door. |
Death Haunts Man
Poets, philosophers and other writers throughout the ages have sought to explain, understand and cope with death.
Ernest Hemingway was obsessed with the idea of death. His father, an intellectual, had killed himself when Hemingway was a young man. As a result, Hemingway wanted to demonstrate to all humanity that he feared neither life nor death. Ironically, when he was 61 years old, he committed suicide in a moment of rage and human weakness.
The Bible recognizes the inevitability of physical death. In Hebrews 9:27 we read, "Man is destined to die." In a sense, everyone is terminally ill. Unless Christ returns in our lifetime, our pilgrimage through this world will end in death.
Longfellow succinctly observed, "The young may die, and the old must." Physically, death is the most stubborn and persistent enemy of humanity. But it is not the most dangerous foe.
Physical Versus Spiritual Death
The Bible distinguishes between physical death (which everyone eventually faces) and spiritual death (which everyone initially experiences). Death essentially means separation from something or someone. It implies loneliness. Man begins life separated from God and therefore spiritually dead because of his sin.
Sartre, the French existential philosopher, accurately observed, "Man is alone." Apart from a personal relationship with God and commitment to him, man is spiritually dead and very much alone.
The Bible also mentions eternal death or "the second death" (Revelation 20:14). This is eternal, irreversible separation from God. Anyone who refuses to commit his life to Jesus Christ will experience this eternal death.
Physical death clearly is not the end of our existence. The question is where will you and I spend eternity -- in heaven or hell? There is no other option. The reality of death and hell should motivate us as Christians to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the unconverted.
Francois Voltaire, the noted French infidel, once stated, "In 20 years, Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took 12 apostles to rear." Yet when he faced death he cried, "I am abandoned by God and man!" Voltaire's doctor expressed astonishment at the emotional torment his patient experienced before passing into eternity.
In contrast, the great evangelist John Wesley declared on his deathbed, "The best of all is, God is with me!" He finished his pilgrimage satisfied and content to be in the presence of his Lord.
Death need not haunt us as Christians. If we have committed our lives to Jesus Christ, we have a glorious future awaiting us beyond death's door.
© 1997 Luis Palau
Luis Palau is an international evangelist who has preached the gospel to more than 12 million people in 64 countries.