Perspectives

The other day I was talking to a pastor friend of mine. Both of us are 70 years plus in age. One thing we talked about was all this talk about death. We both agreed that because of our age we hear and come into contact with folks who experience death, the trauma, shock, suffering and grief.

Throughout all the ages, people have predicted life after death. We understand some of their talking points. This is really not that new to any of us. But only in the last, say, 30 years or so have modern medical procedures become so efficient that claims are made that 100,000 plus lives are saved each year. In fact it boggles the mind when we read about clinical death experiences, those who have been brought back, and those who have been snatched out of the claws of the undertaker, those who have come back to tell what it was like on the other side. This has created a whole new idea concerning death, its sensations and its meaning.

What motivates or stirs our mind and heart when we think about dying? We know death has occurred when our spirit leaves the body. Most folks that I know say that they are not afraid of dying. However, there are those who say that they would like to be someplace else when that happens. But what does it really feel like to die? Death survivors tell us that the moment of death is absolutely painless. It feels like fainting.

Is it possible that the fear of death is exaggerated by the fear of the unknown? If you and I could find out what might exist beyond deaths door and how it felt to go there, then much of the fear of death could be removed. People today might feel more secure if we could go back in time to say ancient Egypt. Rent a U-Haul truck, fill it up with all our possessions, have it follow along in the funeral procession, carrying all our wealth into the afterlife. Now barring a rapture, none of us will leave this world alive or with our earthly riches. Each of us will have our turn with death, whether we like it or not.

Jesus Christ in Luke chapter 16:22-26 tells a story about a rich man and a poor beggar: Verse 22 … “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.”

We can be sure that the rich man’s burial was one of great showiness and fashionable ceremony. What about his soul? Well in verse 23, Jesus gives us the answer … 23) In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

Notice several things that happen. First, he is in torment. There is literal pain. Somehow, he catches sight of others who are in heaven and at peace. The second thing we see is that he is fully conscious, aware of his surroundings and has his memory.

Verse 24 … So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.

He has the ability to reason. He has feelings. He could hear. He could taste. It is as if he still had a tongue.

Speaking for Jesus, Abraham answers the man’s request in verse 25 … “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

There was a time when I would joke about hell, thinking somebody would come to my rescue. But what do I do with verse 26 … And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ (NIV1984)

That fixed chasm, rift or gulf that Abraham is talking about suggests a forever place, where nobody, no matter who, will ever be able to come to our rescue after we die.

The Bible story we have discussed does not say that it is a sin to be rich. But it teaches whether rich or poor that it is a sin when we live only for ourselves, when we shut our ear to the voice of God, as it is written in the Scriptures when we fail to practice the love and mercy taught by Jesus

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen