Death is not to be feared

This past week, my wife and I received some hard news. A very dear friend suffered a heart attack and passed away. I have no doubt of her destination, but still, it is sad for her family and her friends.

Notice I used the words “passed away.” Have you noticed that when we talk about death, we try to soften the blow through our words? Our loved one has “gone on to the Lord” or “has passed away.” Even Jesus softened the blow for his disciples when he said Lazarus was asleep (John 11:11). I just wonder why we are so afraid of something that is a natural part of our life. We have birth, so it follows that we have death. A beginning must have an end. Right?

It’s the fear part that gets me. As followers of Christ, we should not be in fear of death. Death has no hold on anyone, because Christ our Lord has conquered death when He rose from the grave. We have the promise of eternal life, the end of suffering, no more tears and golden streets, yet many a Christian and most non-believers fear death. This just boggles the mind and tells me something.

It tells me that there are believers that are not convicted. One difference between conviction and belief is how we look at death. One who is who just believes probably looks at death as the Grim Reaper complete with cowl and scythe. But one who is convicted and believes sees death as a doorman in front of a hotel. The doorman must open the door so you can enter.

And that really is what death is, a doorway to full participation in the Kingdom of God. We who follow Christ have no fear. We may not know for sure what is on the other side of the door. What we do know is that Christ is already there waiting for us. This assurance of His presence guides us to accept what is going to happen. It also helps us to comfort those who may not be a believer.

Now, a follower of Christ will mourn. Christ himself mourned the death of Lazarus, even though He knew Lazarus was not going to be dead for long. Mourning is just a natural way of dealing with a loss. But we followers of Christ don’t stay in mourning because we know that to die in Christ is to gain eternal life.

My friends, there are too many people who don’t know about this hope. You and I are called to guide people to that relationship with Christ that stops our fear of death and brings new life. Too many people are mourning. Too many people are lost and in fear. Too many people think that death is the end.

We know the truth. In Christ, our death is the beginning of something that will never end. That is a promise from God. Just a thought.

Shalom my friends.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.