Everyone must die! This is a given, isn’t it? It’s almost a cliché. It doesn’t even bear repeating because it’s so obvious. The Bible clearly states, “There is a time for every event under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Everyone knows it. The author of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament affirms Solomon’s saying. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Death is a reality that we all live with. It’s not just recorded in the Bible that affirms the fact that we will all die. We see it all around us. Everyone is introduced to it from childhood at the death of a pet, a loved one, or something they see on TV. It’s just part of life. I attended several funerals and memorial services for family and friends and was surprised at how many people seemed shocked when death became part of their experience. We know death is a reality, but we are totally unprepared for it.
As a preacher of the Good News of Jesus Christ, I always felt that it was one of my most solemn responsibilities to give attention to preparing people for the inevitability of death. But it’s such a delicate subject, especially in the wake of a loss. I think I’ve had more zeal than knowledge in some attempts to share this truth with others. You may have heard of the barber who was newly saved and was eager to witness to his experience with Jesus Christ. As he met his first customer the next day, he was sharpening his straight razor on the leather strap. His initial approach to his customer was, “Are you ready to die?” Just imagine what went through the customer’s mind as he viewed the finely honed razor. It reminds me of the sign outside of a church. It said, “Do you know what Hell is like? Come and hear our pastor preach this Sunday.” Think about that.
I really want to be careful how I talk about this subject because only a truly morbid person obsesses over the inevitability of his own death or the reality of death overall. On the other hand, only a foolish person refuses to ponder his own mortality. One of the most profound truths comes from the mouth of William Wallace of Brave Heart fame. He said, “No man can really live until he is ready to die.” It is good to ask ourselves once in a while about our attitude toward our own impending death. Am I ready? God has granted each of us a fixed amount of time in this world, and every tick of the clock brings us that much closer to our date with eternity. Jesus told Mary that He was the resurrection and the life. Whoever believed in Him, though they might die, would live again. He then proceeded to call Lazarus from the grave four days after his burial. One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 John 5:13. It says, “I have written these things to you who believe in the Son of God so that you would know that you have eternal life.” In the early ’90s, I preached to the patients at a nursing home. Most of whom were in the 70s and 80s. There were even a few in their 90s. I used this passage and truly enjoyed the smiles on their faces when I read this verse. Many of them were ready for death. Being a believer in Jesus Christ, now in my late 70’s, I smile at that verse as well.