Death No More?
Have you ever noticed, more often than not, older people complain about their age? People don’t like admitting they are aging for fear of being put on the shelf before their time. But what does that say about young people who die? Do older people neglect to appreciate the numerous years they have been granted on earth?
During childhood, one of my three siblings was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that became life threatening. For almost a decade the doctors and health professionals worked tirelessly to prevent the spread of infection with antibiotics and operations. Eventually infection became uncontrollable. At the age of 18 Troy had been unconscious for 2 weeks, had both his feet amputated and was now brain damaged. One week later he died. Troy died on what would have been the last day of his schooling years, Year 12. He died regardless of his beautiful character and potential to live a very fruitful life. He died. He was simply no more.
I have also been diagnosed with the same condition as my brother, recently developing an infection that required surgery. Although not life threatening, I still remember my fear and anguish as I was wheeled into the operating theatre for the first time in my life. Fear hit me without any warning. I thought as a nurse I would have no problems being in such an environment, but the memory of my brother’s life and death became overwhelming. Would my life follow a similar pattern to his? I felt alone and scared. Two feelings as a Christian I did not anticipate at such a time. I was scared at the prospect of dying. I did not like the thought of losing what I knew of life. Witnessing the death of my brother taught me that death is the ultimate end to life on earth and it can happen any time and any way.
I have always been an advocate of encouraging the young and old to grasp their life and make the most of it. I have on numerous occasions written in birthday cards, “Life is like a coin: you can spend it any way you like but you can only spend it once.” I have desired for people to understand their mortality and live accordingly. Yet when I was faced with my own mortality it scared me.
I have known and trusted in Jesus since 7 years of age. My parents had opposing opinions of who Jesus was, so I knew I had to find out for myself. I read a children’s bible and invited Jesus into my heart. Over the years I have grown in Christian maturity and now know more fully the corruption of sin in human hearts and this world that so desperately requires the judgement of God. I am all the more grateful that Jesus was sent to take our rightful punishment by dying on the cross and rising to life again, thus overcoming the power of death, which is the ultimate separation from God. Despite my emotion of fear that I experienced entering into the theatre some months ago, I know and am fully assured that death has no grip on me, for Jesus came to bring life (John 10:10), eternal life to those who believe and trust in his name (John 3:16).
Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us that “since the children have flesh and blood, he [Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Jesus truly is our saviour through his life, death and resurrection so those who follow him no longer need to fear earthly death because they are promised life for eternity with God in heaven. Jesus has overthrown his and our enemy: death.
For those who have not yet bowed before Jesus as Lord, than he puts this to you, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
By Martina
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