Experts poring over statistics have been shocked to discover that the number of deaths does not increase during times of war, and in fact, remains exactly the same. Actually, to paraphrase C.S. Lewis, whether we are at war or not, the death rate will not increase . . . because 100% of us will die. What is your earliest recollection of death? When Michelle was 4, one of her grandparents died. She thought of them looking down on her from the spiritual world and became afraid of death because she did not want to live on as a ghost. That prompted another from the group, Mary, to say she feared the pain or physical suffering part of death.
I feared death because . . .
Both those thoughts were prompted by the recollection of my first thoughts on death. I was in early grade school and had never heard or thought of the possibility of an afterlife, much less the prospects of heaven or hell. Some may fear death because they fear going to hell. I feared death because in my young philosophical mind, I saw it as non-existence. But my fear went beyond that. I remember thinking that for thousands of years I did not exist before I was born. More than that, I did not KNOW that I did not exist. Then, when I thought about life after death in the future, it wasn’t merely the thought of non-existence that scared me. I can’t explain it and it probably won’t make sense to you, but what scared me was the thought that I would not even know that I did not exist. I think it must be related to Descartes’ thought – I think, therefore I am. Which means if I don’t think, I am not (or if I think not, I exist not). Which can be confusing because I see many people driving who don’t think, yet if they don’t exist why are the freeways still so crowded?
Or to think about it in another way . . . I think, therefore I think I exist. (I think I exist because I think.) Does thinking that I exist, or not, alter or not the reality of whether or not I exist? I think not, surely I exist or not, whether or not I think it or not. I think the only certainty is that I think, therefore I hate spam! That’s because I do not need to refinance, enlarge my septic tank or my breasts!
In our group that week we read from Hebrews 2:14-15 about the assurance that we don’t fear death because of what Jesus did. As I thought back on my earlier fears, I realized how much I take for granted that I no longer have a fear of death since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. The hope and peace that I have are unexplainable, but definitely real.
I have hope because Jesus defeated death at His resurrection. The evidence for Jesus' resurrection is incredible. (Please see the Passion of the Christ article for evidence.) Billions of people's lives throughout history and even today have been changed because they believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. That, of course, gives His followers hope because death is not the end. The power of death has died because Jesus won the victory over death. That is what Easter is really all about.
If you not a follower of Jesus, yet honest in your pursuit of truth, you need to grapple with the question of how Jesus could have died and then come back to life. Why did the disciples, who earlier had fled because they feared being arrested and put to death, suddenly change so drastically? Why would every one of them be willing to die a terrible death if it was a hoax, a lie or they had stolen the body? Why in the world would you put trained guards in front of a dead man’s tomb . . . to prevent Him from escaping? How could so many people throughout time believe that He rose from the dead if He really didn’t? And if it is true, then what does that say about our lives, what direction we need to go or who we need to put our faith in?
In addition to peace in this life, which the world cannot give, we have the future assurance of Heaven. The fringe benefits of Christianity are literally out of this world!
If you are unsure about death, I challenge you to look into the Bible. Start with the book of Luke or John. Also, your friendly neighborhood pastor would love to talk to you or answer questions, as would I. Feel free to call, write or email me . . . whether it is a question about having hope rather than fear of death, or how many pet gorillas we have or any other question, no matter how trivial it may seem to you.
"And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." - Romans 8:11 (See also John 11:25-26 & I Corinthians 15)