Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum A few weeks ago, I officiated at four funerals over an eight-day span. Although I have officiated at numerous funerals over the years, I never get used to the last enemy, death. And I never want to get used to it.
Whether death comes suddenly from an accident, heart attack, or whether it comes as a result of many months of a terminal illness, it's always horrible. Death knocks at every door, Eventually its long shadow will fall on each of us. The Bible says It is appointed for men to be To die once and after this, The judgment. Yet although death is inevitable, other than the return of our Lord Jesus Christ for his Church, It seems that the majority of people Just ignore death. They take the foolish view that death only happens to other people.
Years ago, the Law Society of Scotland was encouraging people. to make their last will and testament.
Someone came up with the intriguing slogan Sign in your will? is not signing your death warrant. There was a recognition that many people don't make their will because although they know they're going to die, they cannot face the reality of their own mortality. This is difficult for all of us. Many people live in fear of dying.
Jean Jacques Rousseau, the eighteenth century philosopher, said He who pretends to look on death without fear lies. all men are afraid of dying. Fear of death is real. And unless we ignore its reality completely, all of us to some extent. may have fear.
The Christian answered to death is not found in ignoring it, is not found in fearing it, rather it is found in facing it. The reason followers of Jesus can face death is because we know Jesus Christ personally. He still says I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall live even if he die. and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
You've heard the expression where there's life, there's hope. But followers of Jesus go much further and say, Where there is death there is hope. That is, our hope goes beyond death, because our Lord Jesus, in whom we trust, has conquered death. He's alive for evermore. Jesus did not just say, I am the resurrection and the life.
He demonstrated it not only by raising Lazarus from the dead, he himself, after his crucifixion and burial, rose from the dead.
So, the central truth of the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ has risen, He's alive. And those who believe in Him as their Savior and Lord receive as a gift this new life. this resurrection life, this eternal life.
So at the funerals I have to confront my own mortality. What is on the other side? How will it be that millisecond after we die? There is much I do not know. but I do know that Jesus will welcome me.
Jesus told the story of the poor man who died. and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. Paradise. When followers of Jesus Christ die, angels are there. to take us safely to be with the Lord Jesus.
Moses says in Psalm 90, So teach us to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom. This is not to be gloomy or sad. Rather it is to live a life With this glorious hope, and it is to realize that when we pass from time into eternity, whether suddenly or after a long drawn out illness, the Lord Jesus is with us, and has gone before us, to prepare a place for us in his father's house. If you don't have this hope, I urge you to turn from your sin, and cry out to the Lord Jesus, who is alive. To forgive you, to save you.
And as an act of His glorious grace, give you the free gift. of eternal life. Because our wonderful Savior has conquered death. and is alive forevermore. Avizando.
You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
