What Happened?

As this scripture passage ends we leave the disciples scratching their heads in puzzlement. It’s hardly surprising that they’re feeling a bit confused after the day they’ve had: they’ve seen visions, heard voices, and then Jesus once again tells them that he will arise from the dead!

What is surprising, though, is that — apparently — these fellows never mention this to anyone (at least not until after Easter). I don’t know; maybe it’s me, but if someone told you that he was going to rise from the dead, wouldn’t you be curious about it? Wouldn’t you ask for some clarification? Wouldn’t you want to know when and where and how and ... why?

Shhhh!

Yet the disciples don’t mention Jesus’ assertion; they don’t discuss it with him or ask about it, no matter how often he tells them it will happen. Is this the “Messianic secret”: the amazing fact of Who Jesus Is that nobody is supposed to know — or an embarrassed silence?

Aside from Peter’s one effort to quash this kind of talk — which Jesus angrily denounces — the disciples make no mention of the Lord’s repeated insistence that he will be raised from the dead.

Are his followers really good at keeping secrets, or are they trying to hush up an extravagant, possibly crazy, and extremely unlikely-sounding promise? Are they afraid of being labeled as loonies for following a guy who seems to believe that he’s indestructible?

The Ultimate Terror

Or is it their loathing of that awful word “death” that keeps their lips sealed? Perhaps the disciples’ silence reflects a fear of the grim term that signals the end of all their hopes and dreams and aspirations.

“Don’t say that; you’re still young and there’s still so much to do!” “I don’t want to hear that kind of talk; it is too upsetting.” “What a terrible thing to say! Let’s talk about something pleasant.”

We’ve all used those phrases to steer the conversation away from an unsettling discussion about the end of life. It may have been to soothe our own discomfort, or an effort to be upbeat and hopeful, bringing cheer to an invalid or to ease a troubled soul. But how often has our well-intentioned “silence” prevented important issues from being raised?

Do Not Be Afraid

It is understandable that those first disciples feared an earthly death; they had not yet walked the road to Calvary, Easter’s marvelous revelation was distant and unseen.

But we have no such excuses.

We know the Risen Lord; our faith resides in him and the supreme, sacred Truth he revealed to us. Death is not the end. Life triumphs. Love wins. We are never lost, never abandoned or forgotten, never without hope, never without love.

Jesus said, over and over, “Do not be afraid,” for God is with us always. Though we may fly to the farthest shore or fall into the darkest depths, we are held safe in the heart of God. Or, as another has said, “Nothing — neither trouble, nor distress, or persecution; not hunger, or nakedness, not threats or violence or death itself — nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Rom 8:35-37)”

A Testimony of Courage

Death is not the end, but a transition; our lives are changed, not lost. The Gospel is true; Christ has died, Christ has risen. There is nothing to fear.

Nothing about passing from this life should frighten us. Nothing about death — ours or another’s — should terrify us into silence, for God is with us, always.

Why, then, are we so often timid when the subject arises? Why do we cover our ears, change the subject, or otherwise muzzle those who want to talk about the end of earthly life? If someone entrusts their deepest concerns to us, we have a responsibility to listen carefully and compassionately, and to respond with Christ-infused grace.

If we don’t, perhaps no one will.

A Christian Mission

How unbearably lonely and impossibly difficult it would be to face the Great Departure without an opportunity to “clean house”! Human lives are entwined with others, we have worries, fears, and obligations; unspoken regrets and unacknowledged debts; we ruefully imagine what we might have done, and our minds are filled with thoughts of what we ought not to have done. We long for peace, for a healthy resolution, an easy conscience, a gentle passing.

When someone initiates a conversation about the Ultimate Transition, we must treat it as a precious gift. Questions and concerns about death are rarely mentioned in our society — which disguises and denies our mortality in countless ways. To even speak of it is a daring, dangerous admission. But Christians have no reason to observe this taboo.

As bearers of the Good News, our radiant hope and eternal joy should shine through in all we do and all we believe. It is pointless to preach platitudes: mere words provide little comfort or understanding; but it is life-altering and soul-transforming to fearlessly, hopefully, and kindly hear what is said to us. To listen to another’s concerns without trying to coerce or convince or convert them — to “simply” listen — is a rare and precious ministry.

But That’s Morbid!

This is not to suggest that we should sit up nights talking about dying, or that we ought to raise the subject whenever conversation lags. But we must not avoid or ignore reality.

It is powerfully, prophetically counter-cultural and profoundly Christian to speak about death. It is an undeniable fact of life on earth, but it is not the defining fact. What matters ultimately is that we are God’s beloved, forgiven, sought-after, and redeemed children.

When we bring it out in the open; discussing it, preparing for it, coming to terms with it — death’s ability to terrify and silence us disappears. Holy truth redeems and restores all things; when recognized as an aspect of life, death is no longer an evil to fear, but a part of the path that leads to eternity.

From Death to Life

When death becomes an accepted fact rather than a hidden terror, we gain a vastly improved perspective on what matters; on how we spend our time, on what we say and do, and how we treat one another.

Because “no one knows the day or hour” when we shall depart this life, each moment becomes a thing of value, everything we say and all that we do is infused with new meaning; every farewell may be our final one, every word — whether consoling or scathing, sweet or bitter — may be the lasting memory we leave.

We don’t have a choice as to whether or not we shall die, but we have a choice about how we shall live.

Do Not Be Afraid

Knowing that scorn, suffering, and death awaited him, Jesus confidently assured his hearers of God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness. Aware that his days were few, the Lord spent his time wisely: healing the sick, nourishing the hungry, comforting the sorrowing, preaching and praying and spreading the Good News. Fearlessly he spoke of death — not as the end, but as a stage that led to the resurrection and eternal life.

Jesus said “Do not be afraid” — of death, certainly, but more important, Do not be afraid of life. Do not allow anything to hold you back from living with courage, compassion, and boundless love. Do not allow fear to keep you silent when speaking — and listening — can make all the difference in the world.

Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,

Deborah +

This Week's Suggested Spiritual Exercise

If you died today, how will you be remembered? Is there any “unfinished business” that you can resolve now?