"DEATH WITH ASSURANCE AND HOPE"
FRACTURED FAMILY
"DEATH WITH ASSURANCE AND HOPE"
Death, simply defined, is the cessation or end of life or existence of a person or thing. For living organisms, mainly human beings, the thought of dying or death grips us with unimaginable fears. Death is the ultimate terror. There are two types of death: physical death and spiritual death.
Physical death is the permanent cessation of life on earth, marking the transition of the physical body into a spiritual body for eternal life. It is a relocation from our worldly residence. Spiritual death, on the other hand, means denying ourselves our heavenly homes. We should not worry about displacement from our earthly homes, as we are mere pilgrims on a pilgrimage on this sinful earth. Our focus should be on not losing our spiritual homes.
Death is interwoven with sin. Without sin, there would not have been death. The wages of sin is death. We were created to live on earth immortally, but through our sins, death crept in. Now, it is unavoidable to die. Our main concern should not just be death, but what kind of death we face. If we die both physically and spiritually, it is painful and disastrous. But if we die physically and live spiritually, our calling is sure and assured.
When we mourn, lament, and bury our dead, irrespective of toxic family dynamics, the question we should ask is: Is it death with assurance and hope? If it is a hopeful death with assurance, we do not have to be hopelessly sorrow-stricken. Death has become a commonplace occurrence in our midst, often celebrated instead of mourned. When bereft of our loved ones, we are washed over with fears of the unknown, not just due to irreparable loss but also its attendant financial burden.
Furthermore, satisfying funeral rites within living memory seems very dear. One cannot comprehend if sympathizers who expect to be handsomely entertained during the burial weep more than the bereaved or if it is just avant-garde in honor or memory of the dead at the expense of the bereaved. This burial culture or tradition needs radical adjustments, as it tends to impoverish the bereaved beyond the loss. Certain cultures or traditions are like donkeys, with dictates that are sheepishly and inconsiderately implemented.
One can argue that the body of Jesus Christ was prepared before his burial by Mary Magdalene with priceless oil and spices, and why should not ours? However, the circumstances surrounding the death and burial of our Messiah were different. Moreover, our Messiah, Jesus Christ, conquered death. With His conquest, we have the rare opportunity to die physically but live spiritually. This spiritual survival is death with assurance and hope.
In conclusion, although death's sting is very painful, we should not mourn like people without assurance and hope. With Christ's conquest of death, we can face mortality with hope and assurance of eternal life.
Death, simply defined, is the cessation or end of life or existence of a person or thing. For living organisms, mainly human beings, the thought of dying or death grips us with unimaginable fears. Death is the ultimate terror. There are two types of death: physical death and spiritual death.
Physical death is the permanent cessation of life on earth, marking the transition of the physical body into a spiritual body for eternal life. It is a relocation from our worldly residence. Spiritual death, on the other hand, means denying ourselves our heavenly homes. We should not worry about displacement from our earthly homes, as we are mere pilgrims on a pilgrimage on this sinful earth. Our focus should be on not losing our spiritual homes.
Death is interwoven with sin. Without sin, there would not have been death. The wages of sin is death. We were created to live on earth immortally, but through our sins, death crept in. Now, it is unavoidable to die. Our main concern should not just be death, but what kind of death we face. If we die both physically and spiritually, it is painful and disastrous. But if we die physically and live spiritually, our calling is sure and assured.
When we mourn, lament, and bury our dead, irrespective of toxic family dynamics, the question we should ask is: Is it death with assurance and hope? If it is a hopeful death with assurance, we do not have to be hopelessly sorrow-stricken. Death has become a commonplace occurrence in our midst, often celebrated instead of mourned. When bereft of our loved ones, we are washed over with fears of the unknown, not just due to irreparable loss but also its attendant financial burden.
Furthermore, satisfying funeral rites within living memory seems very dear. One cannot comprehend if sympathizers who expect to be handsomely entertained during the burial weep more than the bereaved or if it is just avant-garde in honor or memory of the dead at the expense of the bereaved. This burial culture or tradition needs radical adjustments, as it tends to impoverish the bereaved beyond the loss. Certain cultures or traditions are like donkeys, with dictates that are sheepishly and inconsiderately implemented.
One can argue that the body of Jesus Christ was prepared before his burial by Mary Magdalene with priceless oil and spices, and why should not ours? However, the circumstances surrounding the death and burial of our Messiah were different. Moreover, our Messiah, Jesus Christ, conquered death. With His conquest, we have the rare opportunity to die physically but live spiritually. This spiritual survival is death with assurance and hope.
In conclusion, although death's sting is very painful, we should not mourn like people without assurance and hope. With Christ's conquest of death, we can face mortality with hope and assurance of eternal life.
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