A beloved friend of mine just lost their husband, another their son, another their sister - all unexpected.
Death is not always a popular topic. But, it's a current event. No year goes by for any of us without regretted partings. Death is not only a certain fact, it's a tragic fact. It's in contradiction with our human personality. It is all of this if death is final, if death has the last word. But death does not have the last word, only the next to the last word for those who believe in Jesus Christ.
At a funeral, when people grieve, it often is with one foot in the past and one foot in the present. When Christians grieve, it is with one foot in the past, one foot in the present, and eyes uplifted to the future. Therefore, our grieving is at the same time rejoicing, for in the past, present, and future, there is God in Jesus Christ - our refuge, our strength, and our salvation and hope.
Our faith tells us that life on earth is a good gift from God for a season. And when that season is over we move on to the next season. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, 1 Thessalonians 4:13. We grieve as those who know that death is the completion of one time and location as we move on to another place and time - eternal time, eternal life. For us who are believers we don't bid our loved ones "farewell." We just close one chapter with "I'll see you later" and move on to the next chapter authored by our Father in heaven.
Knowing that death has lost its sting and victory, 1 Corinthians 15:57, and the grave cannot stand between us and the love of God gladdens our hearts. We look around at those who love and sustain us right now and look forward to a glad reunion with loved ones and friends who have already received their promotion in the life to come.
Christian faith is a faith in our past history and in the future. Our past and present is leading in the direction of a far-off, divine event toward which the whole creation moves. Those ends or purposes were implicit in the beginning of human history, and they are here in all God has done, is doing, and will do. And they will be fully realized at the last.
Someone once said, "There are two things you can't avoid - death and taxes. Maybe you can avoid one."
I have some good news for you. There is a way around death. Jesus Christ is the true way and life. This purpose is evident in the creation and becomes increasingly evident in light of a new race of human beings with whom God holds a loving fellowship.
The kingdom of the Lord is a here and now, as well as a "then also" kingdom. The present kingdom is one of grace and charisma, the future one of glory. When the trumpet blows, "Time's up," we will be raised with transformed bodies and will live forever, 1 Corinthians 15:52.
Eternal life, promised to those who follow Jesus Christ, is more than a hope in the after life, it's a joy in the present. You're personally invited to visit one of our churches and see for yourself.
The Rev. Bill Baltz of Christ Presbyterian Church is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
