BIBLE BITS: ​Death need not be filled with evasive thinking - the Bible puts it like this

​They had suffered a terrible loss and their grief was deep.

The parents of the 26-year-old were amazing. They greeted everyone warmly and at the end of the service the father spoke for a while about his son and his God with love and confidence. He had no questions or anger. He thanked God for his son’s life and for the assurance of his caring love.

Why are we so afraid to confront death and ask deep questions about what it means? Is our demise the end of everything? Is there no hope for the future? Is that all there is?

A song by Peggy Lee speaks into this well. The lyrics are about a disillusioned person who views supposedly unique life events with an empty disappointment. After each incident she suggests we break out the booze and have a ball – if that’s all there is!

If that is true, then our present life becomes a lottery without purpose. It is no wonder that people see personal pleasure as a rule for life. No future – no hope – no point, and so when death comes, we cover it up with a sterile blanket of avoidance.

Just before his own death Jesus told his disciples he was about to leave them. They were confused and anxious. He told them he would prepare a place in his kingdom for them, and this only intensified their misunderstanding.

They struggled to see the connection between living on earth, dying and entering God’s heaven. How could dying and going to be with Christ be better than living?

Jesus answered their confusion by telling them that he was the way to God, the path to blissful eternal life, won through his death and resurrection from the dead.

The marvel of God’s gospel is this - a just God who will not wink at wrong and evil has made a way for people to be forgiven and to know deep assurance about the future. Death need not be filled with fear or evasive thinking. The Bible puts it like this.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my father’s home.

"If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Knowing Christ gives certainty for the future!