Do not fear death, by Dorothy Richards

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"Which came first – the chicken or the egg?"
Just after Christmas, I was talking to our youngest grandson, 4-year-old Daniel, and we were discussing Father Christmas. After a while the subject changed to Easter, which according to Daniel, comes after Christmas. Teasing him, I said that, really, Easter comes before Christmas in the calendar year - but, of course, he is a bit young to fully understand. In a sense though, Daniel is correct. Christmas does come before Easter. Just as Christmas reminds us of the birth of our Saviour, so Easter reminds us of His death. In life a birth must come before a death. And just as life is before death, there is nothing as certain as death. That is the one thing which we know is going to happen to each and every one of us. Our lives are all completely different but at some stage each one of us will have to face death.

I, probably like many others, don't fear death. I know that once I have 'gone through the veil' there is a wonderful new life waiting for me. No, I don't fear death but I am rather nervous about the process! How will it all end? Will it be quick, will it be painful, will it be a slow decline? The odd thing is, I can't envisage a time when I won't be on this earth – but I know that it will happen. Mind you, at the moment, as Selwyn Hughes said in his autobiography: “I'm willing to go but eager to stay!”

Jesus knew from a young age that He had been sent for a purpose; to live among men, telling them of a better life which was waiting for them if only they would turn to Him. He also knew that one day He would die and that it would be by crucifixion on a cross. He knew the manner His death would take. He knew that He would be beaten, tortured, mocked and, worst of all, He would be separated from His beloved Father. That was the worse punishment; taking the blame in our place and thereby having to endure the pain of separation from God. However, His love for us was so great that He faced His death unflinchingly; suffering silently whatever pain was inflicted upon Him. He could have refused; in fact, He prayed that, if possible, the cup be taken from Him. Of course, there was no other way. Only by His sacrificial death on the Cross could we be cleansed of our sins. But Jesus knew that when it was over - when, in His words, 'It is finished' - He would be re-united with His Father. When He had spent three days in the grave, He would rise again and return to His heavenly place. Jesus' death was horrific and He knew just what to expect but God, in His wisdom and grace, won't reveal the manner of our death to us. It’s no use us having sleepless nights over it. As far as I know, Jesus only had one sleepless night over it and during those hours He spent time in prayer to His Father. If we are that worried we have the same opportunity, knowing that even death cannot separate us from His love.

We also know, that once this earthly life is over, we will take our place with our Lord, just as Jesus did on Easter Day. The difference is that when we rise in glory we will know that God has forgiven us our sins – but Someone else has taken the punishment.