Thursday, April 10, 2008
John 8:51 "If a man keep My sayings, he shall never see death."
DEATH TAKES AN ETERNAL HOLIDAY
Some years ago there was a movie entitled "Death Takes A Holiday." In this film Death, which was personified, felt that people did not understand the wonderful purpose it served, but instead clung to "Life" at all costs.
So, Death decided to "take a holiday," to take 24 hours off. During this one day everything continued as usual -- except no one died. Disasters and tragic accidents occurred, grave illnesses ravaged bodies, hospital ICU departments were filled, and the elderly declined -- but no one died.
Suddenly people began to realize that death is a vital part of life, that the world desperately needs it. The movie ended positively -- with Death explaining how he stood for deliverance from pain and unpleasantness.
This film reflects the only possible explanation and comfort a godless world can draw from death -- the end of earthly troubles. Yet, as Scripture clearly teaches and even natural man senses, death is not the end. There is "something" beyond the grave; and that "something" involves facing some kind of divine tribunal who will judge them and their lives. Religions the world over attest to this.
The truth concerning death is what we find in the true Easter account of living and eternal hope -- namely, death takes an eternal holiday!
Jesus once said: "If a man keep My sayings, he shall never see death" (John 8:51). By, in, and through our crucified and risen Savior, death has been removed -- not simply for 24 hours, but forever and ever.
It is true, physical "death" still awaits us -- but in Christ it becomes the passageway to life eternal. Death's sting is gone; Grave's victory is lost.
Yet, note the "if" in our Savior's words. Living forever with the Lord is not a guaranteed right of human citizenship. Sin and death are not "friends" to learn to cope with or find comfort in, but "enemies" which have destroyed man's life, his relationship with God, and his hope of Heaven. Only by "keeping Jesus' saying" (see John 8), only by Spirit-created repentance and faith in Him "who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification," will people conquer real death.
That way -- an eternally better way -- is found in Him who is risen, who lives, and who promises His believing followers: "Because I live, you also shall live!" Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God, who has given death an eternal holiday!
