What I found particularly striking was her age. She was only 25. She
was very much in the prime of life. Similarly, on the East Midlands news there
was the story of a woman, in her 30s according to the reports, found dead in a
Derby street. Then, a man, said to be in his late 40s, was found dead on waste
land in Sneinton, Nottingham. What is particularly challenging is when you
realize that all of these people are younger than you! Death is no respecter of
age, gender, background, wealth, or status! The news of the last few days
emphasizes that well-known fact. What I wonder is whether we are prepared for
what lies beyond. The Bible states, ‘It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment’ [my
emphasis]. Many may say that once we are dead that’s the end. The Bible
indicates otherwise. Whether you agree or not, it does not alter the record of
scripture. Are you prepared, or are you taking the risk that the atheist is
right and you have nothing to fear?
The tremendous news that is found in the Christian gospel is that we
need not fear death, or what lies beyond. Although, as the Bible puts it, ‘the
wages of sin is death’, we can, instead, know the ‘gift of God’ which is
eternal life. We all face death because we have failed to reach God’s standard –
we have fallen short, or sinned. As sinners, we stand guilty before God, awaiting
the judgement stated above. However, Jesus Christ died upon a Roman cross, bore
God’s punishment for sin, and offers forgiveness to you and I. Are we prepared
to listen to God’s message? Are we prepared to admit that we are sinners, and
accept God’s offer of mercy?
It is easy to think that we have so much of life ahead of us. We can
put off ‘the religious things’ until later. After all, we might think, death is
for old people. Recent events should teach us otherwise! How long have you got
left?
