As nurses, we are often faced with the death of one of our patients. It is our responsibility to care for the dying as well as those who mourn the loss of the loved ones. We face similar situations in our own lives too. Within the past few months, several of our community members have suffered loss. I have also experienced a great loss in my own life. My beloved wife passed away two years ago in a terrible car accident. As a nurse, I have learned about ‘death and the dying’ and ‘caring for the grieving family’. Confronting death and grief is an emotionally charged and difficult job.
After a long career as a nurse and pastor, I have learned and witnessed a few things about how fear and grief are connected with death and the ways in which we can gain comfort. Paul, one of the most prolific writers of the 1st century, wrote a letter to the Thessalonians saying, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope (1 Thessalonians, 4:13).” Paul’s aim is to comfort the people who are grieving the loss of their loved ones by reminding them of the assurance which comes through a hope in heaven or in the life after death. He is saying that if we know the truth about that hope, we will not grieve like those who do not have that hope. This belief has carried many through the personal grief of losing a loved one, including me.
One of the reasons this hope makes grieving easy is the fact that this hope gives a completely different perspective on death. Briefly, I will share three super natural ‘perspectives on death’ that Jesus has presented in the Bible.
First, Jesus said in John 11: 25 & 26, “I am the resurrection and life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” As you examine this passage, ask yourself, “Is this a new perspective on death?” Jesus is saying that death will no longer be a barrier or the end of our life. In fact, death becomes a gateway to enter into a new and different life. It will be a better life where people live in peace, and where love is the order of the day, not an exception. It is a place where there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more sickness. This is a life with God in heaven, where each one of us will be transformed into a new person.
Secondly, in Matthew 10:28, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the Soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both Soul and body in hell.” Death does not mean that it is the end of you. It is only the end of your physical body. The body will go to the earth where it came from and your Soul will immediately be in the presence of the Lord in heaven. From then on, you Soul will live with Jesus. On the day of rapture all that Souls will reunite with their transformed eternal bodies. So you do not have to be afraid of the person who can kill the body. Again, we are given a new perspective on death. So, what does this new perspective on death mean for us? It means that death is not the end of a person because, we are indestructible. We are eternal beings. No one has any authority over us except God. We do not need to be afraid of anyone. Many saints of God died as martyrs without the fear of death because of their hope in this afterlife.
Thirdly, during Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. On the day he was resurrected from the tomb, the disciples locked themselves in a room because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came inside the locked room and stood before them and said ‘Peace be with you’ and then he showed his pierced hands and side (John 20: 19-20). Jesus wants them to know that He is the very same person who was killed three days ago. When they saw that it was Jesus, they were overjoyed. Here, Jesus is making a strong statement to the disciples about death. Jesus is telling them “Look at me, the Jews killed me, but I am now very much alive.” He is telling them that they do not have to think about anything that had happened to Him. The beatings, torture and crucifixion that Jesus endured, amounted to nothing. Jesus was as real and as alive as before, and was now standing in front of them with a transformed body, a body that could pass through the locked doors, a body which will ascend to heaven. Everyone who believes in Jesus will be transformed like the body of Jesus after rapture. A body not made of flesh and blood like the one we now have on earth, but it will be a heavenly body.
As Jesus was painting these three new “perspectives on death” to the disciples, the fear of death was being wiped clean from their hearts. Jesus’ disciples did not have to be afraid of death at all. Death would not have any effect on them, as much as it did not have any effect on their Master, since they put their trust in Him. Jesus is showing them that death is a mere passageway to enter into a new and glorious life, which is waiting for them. It is a life in which they will be rewarded for all that they have done for Jesus. History showed that Jesus disciples’ went from being fearful to being some of the most daring servants of God who ever walked this earth. Ridicule, torture, not even death could deter them or stop them. Their terror turned to trust, their fear was replaced by faith. Most importantly, they received the “peace of God”.
Are you grieving for a loved one? Think about the different “perspectives on death” Do you think about your own death? Thinking and talking about death is scary for people. But, psychologically it is healthy to think about your own death and talk about it. But it the hope and this new ‘perspective on death’ can alleviate the fear of death and bring peace – peace from God Himself.
God bless you.
