Death of the Christian: Time to go home

My sister learned last week that she has cancer. She is six years younger than I am. She recently had her fourth child. Thankfully, her prognosis is good. Another friend is suffering with terminal cancer. The tumor has broken through her leg and causes tremendous pain. I’ve been thinking a lot about the frailty and the shortness of our human existence — and how sad death is, even for the Christian. Of course, Christians understand that death is a consequence of sin. Death’s sorrow ought to be a universal reminder of how evil sin is. The fruits of humanity’s rebellion against God are invariably bitter, tragic, painful and ugly. Death is the culmination of it all. Death is sin’s wages (Romans 6:23). We all know the pain of loss from death or at least we will at some time in our lives. It is impossible to live a long life in a sin-cursed world without being assaulted with the sorrow and tragedy of human loss.

Even Jesus felt that pain. He wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. John 11:35 reads, “Jesus wept.” Have you ever wondered why Jesus wept? It could not be just grief over the loss of Lazarus because he was about to bring Lazarus back to life. Yet it’s clear from Scripture that his tears signified real sorrow. What was Jesus mourning about? Surely he was grieving the effects of sin on people he loved. He was sorrowing over the ravages of evil on his creation. Jesus was identifying with those he loved, even in their anguish.

“For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15).

At Lazarus’s grave Jesus felt the full weight of anguish over the sinfulness of the human condition.

Death is a horrible enemy. Scripture says in 1 Corinthianas 15:26 that death is, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed.” When you sit with someone who is dying slowly, you come face to face with the fact that death is a formidable, tyrannical, universal foe. The searing pain and sadness seem almost unbearable at times. If we thought about it in merely human, earthly terms, we might be tempted to become chronically melancholy and despondent. Thankfully, the Bible teaches four great facts about death for the believer in Jesus.

First, death, even for a Christian, is inevitable. Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And it is appointed for men to die, and after this the judgment.” Romans 6:23 reads, “The wages of sin is death…” Every person (apart from the rapture) is destined to die. Only two people have beaten death — Enoch and Elijah.

Second, death to the Christian is always acceptable. Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of God is the death of his saints.” The death of a believer is always in the hands of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said, “The wicked man, when he dies, is driven to his grave but the Christian comes to his grave.”

There is an old story. Two men sat together in the same house. Death came to each of them. He said to one, “You shall die.” The man looked at him with tears and trembling and said, “Death, I cannot. I will not die.” The man found a doctor and said, “Here is my wealth. Give me health that I might live.” The physician took his wealth but gave him not his health despite all his skill. Death bound the man hand and foot. As the man went he clutched at every side post by the way but death, with iron hands, pulled him on. There was not a tree that grew along the way but he tried to grasp it. Death said, “Come on! You are my captive and you shall die.” Death said to the other man, “I have come for you.” He smilingly replied, “Ah, death! I know you. I have seen you many a time. You are my master’s servant. You have come to fetch me home.” A Christian has nothing to lose by death and everything to gain. A believer’s Savior is in heaven. Our friends are in heaven. Our treasure is in heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our home is in heaven.

Third, death to the Christian is always timely. The believer will never die too soon and he will never die too late. At the right time Jesus says to the believer, “It is time to come home.” The angels will carry your soul into God’s presence (Luke 16:22).

Fourth, death for a believer will always be with honor. When a follower of Jesus dies, two things take place. There is a funeral for the body and then a marriage of the soul. As the soul leaves the body the angels stand ready to carry it away. Angels come to convoy the saints to heaven. One Christian said, “Angels at the head support the ascending saint and lovingly they look upon his face as they bear him upwards. Angels at the feet assist in carrying him up through the skies.” I believe there is a shout that comes from heaven whenever a believer enters in.

Why did God the father mark the death of Jesus with darkness (Luke 23:44)? Why did a great earthquake mark the moment of his death (Matthew 27:51)? Why did the centurion responsible for crucifying Jesus say, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Luke 27:54)? Death is inevitable for all. However, only the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus can make your death timely, acceptable and honorable. Jesus was God and offered an infinite sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Won’t you in humility and repentance and faith turn to him today?

Ethan Hansen is the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ethanchansen@gci.net.