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This week the news has been dominated by questions of life and death centred on the lives of two people. The first was Terri Schiavo who, after a long illness and a protracted court battle, had a feeding tube removed and was allowed to die, with dignity some claimed, while others claim it was horribly undignified as well as unnecessary. The other was the Pope, John Paul II, who died after years of deteriorating health and heroic attempts to keep him alive. We do not know what Terri Schiavo's last thoughts were and there was, and still is, controversy surrounding the claim that this was what she wanted. The Pope's reported last word was "Amen".
Whether it is an ailing relative or a cherished spiritual leader our hearts often fail us in the face of death. Who doesn't want to hold onto life? Who wouldn't want to die with the dignity and preparedness that says, "so let it be"?
The Bible makes clear that, whatever our faith and background, death comes to us all:
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through
one man, and in this way death came to all men, because all have sinned…
(Romans 5:12).
The prophet Isaiah declared:
All men are like grass, and all their glory
is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers
fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people
are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our
God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:6-8)
Of course, we don't need the Bible to tell us that people die. We do need the Bible to explain why we die, and to tell us what God has done about it. To expand on our Romans quote:
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through
the one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to
all men, because all sinned…
If the many died by the trespass of one man, how much more did God's
grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,
overflow to the many!
Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin:
The judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift
followed many trespasses and brought justification.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one
man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision
of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through
the one man, Jesus Christ.
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation
for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification
that brings life for all men.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were
made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many
will be made righteous. (Romans 5:12-19)
Put simply, Adam brought death on us all through one act of disobedience, we call this sin. Jesus brought life for all that trust in him, by one act of obedience, we call this righteousness. One man sinned and many died. One man obeyed and the many will be justified before God. This is the gospel, the "Good News".
How did Jesus do this thing? In writing to Timothy Paul reminded his young apprentice of "the pattern of sound teaching" he had received and urged him to,
Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by
the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not
because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and
grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning
of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour,
Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel. (2Timothy 1:8-10)
This brings us to the main theme of our text. John declares right at the beginning of his gospel:
In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the
light of men. (John 1:4)
Stop
and consider the implications of that for a moment. John is saying that Jesus had life in himself. Jesus declared of himself:
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay
down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but
I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and
authority to take it up again. (John 10:17-18)
This week we read of a lady who threw herself off a local bridge. She had decided the manner of her death. She could not, however, decide whether to die. Whether by jumping off a bridge or in old age in a bed in Rome we all die. Who can simply decide to die? Who can then simply take up life again? Only the author of life could destroy death. Only one who has life in himself could give it to others. Earlier in his gospel John records the promise of Jesus:
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word
and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life…For as the father has life in
himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. (John 5:24-26)
Peter picks up this theme, remembering the words of Isaiah, when he writes:
For you have been born again, not of perishable
seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
For,
All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the
field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of
the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers
and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. And this
is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25)
The Easter message is that the author of life came, "destroyed death and brought life". This word continues to be preached and to all that believe he gives the gift of eternal life.
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. (John 11:26)
There is life for a look at the Crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.
Look, look, look and live!
There is life for a look at the Crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee.
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