Lectionary for 3/8/08

Today's readings are Genesis 49.29-50.7 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gen.+49.29-50.7 ), Genesis 50.14-26 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gen.+50.14-26 ), and Mark 14.1-11 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Mark+14.1-11 ). 

 

We see here the death of Jacob, the death of Joseph, and Jesus being anointed for his burial.  As long as we have this mortal life, we are moving closer to death.  And while we look at death as a negative thing, often painful, most always involving people we love and who love to be with us finding themselves left alive and missing us, we should also view death in a positive way as the Scripture does.

 

When the believer dies, he is joining the great company of believers who have died beforehand.  He is entering a place of bliss and rest, where there will be no sorrow, pain, or suffering.  He is entering into the eternal presence of God in Christ, seeing him face to face.  This is a place of blessing, which will last forever.  What a joy to the believer is the hope of Christ collecting him in death.

 

Most all of us will have loved ones who precede us in death.  For those who are in Christ, let us rejoice greatly, as they will face their God and Maker unafraid, covered in Christ's righteousness, entering into bliss.  While we will miss them, they have gone to receive the reward earned for them by Christ.   And at the same time, let us be as those we read about today are.  We should honor our departed, considering the good that God has done in and through them in this life, rejoicing that we knew them.

 

Sadly, we must face the reality.  Death isn't good news for everyone.  For all those who die outside of trust in Christ, they face eternal judgment and condemnation.  Let us pray urgently for those who are not in Christ, those who are not ready to die.  Let us exhort people to turn, to trust Christ, and to rely on the Lord's righteousness rather than their own goodness

 

The good news?  Christ died for you.  The bad news?  We're awfully good at rejecting the work of Christ.  Let us not despise His death, knowing that ours is on the horizon.