Dying: disappointing not devastating
Pastor Jon Huizenga,
River Rock Church
My dad was disappointed to die. He died at 70 from a disease discovered about 6 months earlier. His own father had died at age 95, so my dad had expected more time. He was disappointed, but he was not devastated. I remember a phone call to the hospital in which my dad regaled me with his experience of reading the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus. He said, “I love Jesus!” He meant that he loved everything about Jesus – his love for people, his words to people, his dying to save people from their sin, his promise to “prepare a place for you” to his disciples. There was a glimmer in his voice of enthusiasm to be with Jesus. That was the reason that he was disappointed, but not devastated.
I thought about that as Easter came and went. We (you and I) have known such wonderful people to whom we’ve had to say goodby! This dying has been disappointing, to them and to us. It’s been enough to make us cry. Have you cried?
Christians believe that something unique on planet earth happened when Jesus rose from the dead. He claimed to be the Son of God. That claim was attested by God’s sending angels and Magi at his birth, by many miracles showing his authority over man and matter, and by his willing suffering and death for our sin. He announced ahead of time that he would suffer, die, and rise on the third day. He said it often. Then he did! Exactly as he had said.
That resurrection is God’s guarantee or down payment ensuring our resurrection. So the Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
My time will come. And, if I get the chance, I will be disappointed. But, I won’t be devastated. How about you?
Want to talk about it? Email me – jonhuiz@iserv.net
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