Twice today I heard news of someone passing away suddenly. One a friend and one a stranger.
This morning someone told me of a car accident they witnessed and of the young woman he had administered first aid to. She did not make it.
Then tonight I found out that a young man I had been speaking to this week died just last night. I was planning to drop in on him at his place of work tomorrow and catch a late lunch once he got off at 2pm. I’m sure he also had plans for today and tomorrow and the weekend. His facebook post earlier in the day Wednesday said “so ready for friday!!!”
No doubt the young woman who died from the car accident also had plans for her weekend.
These deaths were so sudden, so premature for their young lives, affording no goodbyes or closure for their family and friends.
There are a few biblical concepts which come to my mind in the midst of the shock and disorientation which I feel. First, I have to say that my own difficulty in processing the grievous finality of death pales in comparison to those closest to the deceased. It is tempting for us as Christians to rush in with soothing words, yet those who feel the full weight of the loss know all too well that it does not diminish the pain the way we think it ought to. This is why my first recollection from Scripture is that death really is terrible. There is no softening it: death stings.
Mourning
There are many passages in the Bible about mourning. I think the biblical characters would be shocked to see our rather sedate forms of greiving. Mourning in Scripture was an immediate response, it was outward, it was without reserve, and it was for a period of time. Mourning practices included wailing loudly, tearing your clothes, throwing dust or ash on your head, weeping, refraining from normal activities even eating, falling on the ground, playing dirges or other sorrowful music, cutting or pulling out your hair, etc.
For the Day of Atonement, the Old Testament law prescribed a day to “afflict yourselves”. The atonement ritual involved the bloody killing of one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. Maybe you remember your sorrow, which may have even surprised you, the first time you saw the death of a mere animal. Yet, the Day of Atonement was a sober day not just because of the animals dying. It was for the sin which was being atoned for. Simply put, death is a result of sin, which is a painful, tragic reality. This reality pervades our world such that even the innocent die. Even young men and women die in tragedies, inexplicable in their suddenness.
Mourning is necessary and appropriate and should not be watered down, held back, or dimished. It is right to let the weight of sin and death impact you. Many people are too quick to quote Romans 8:28 “all things work together for good” (which is not really a good translation anyway, but that’s another discussion). We only have to back up to verses 22-23 to see that pain in this life is an inescapable reality.
Romans 8:22–23 (ESV) 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Thankfully, there is hope. I also noticed in the passages on mourning that they were for a period of time. There are three points I take from this observation: 1) a period of mourning is needed and 2) the process of getting on with life happens after that period of mourning and 3) one does not remain in a state of mourning. The context of Romans 8:18-38 shows that life is full of pain, groaning, moaning, and suffering. It also shows that there is hope after this life. But if we too quickly dismiss the sorrow of sin and death we can’t properly appreciate the joy of our future hope. Christ’s atoning death is significant to me because it is our salvation from death, not in this life, but from eternal death.
Perspective
In Psalm 39:4-5 David prays and in Psalm 90:12 Moses prays. They each pray that God will give them the perspective of how short and fleeting life is.
Psalm 39:4–5 (ESV)
4 “O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!Selah [Selah means "pause"]
6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
For David and Moses, facing the sober reality of our frail lives brought them to a place of placing their hope in God and having a heart of wisdom.
Action
What are you placing your hope in? When faced with the reality of death we have an opportunity to 1) embrace the sorrow of it and 2) adjust our lives to be lived with a proper perspective.
Allow your perspective to be adjusted.
Embrace that pain.
Re-prioritize your life on the things that matter.
How are you ministering to those around you? Are you loving them as if it’s your last opportunity?
Are you living for God in a way that reflects the reality that this life is short?
For you and for those around you, once it’s over, it’s over (Heb 9:27).
And lastly, have you personally accepted God’s free gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior (Rom 6:23; 10:9)?
Dedicated to Joshua Meyers
I will miss you
Sep 23, 1983 – Mar 30, 2011