69. Oh Death, Where is Thy Sting?

The next block in the Bible Sampler quilt brings us to another event where Jesus brought someone from death to life.

This time it’s the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue. Verse 36 says, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, (that she had died), He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

Don’t you just love that? Even if you’re a powerful ruler, you are still powerless against death. So just take Jesus’ advice, rein in the fear, and believe. That’s all He requires of you.

Especially these days, we realize it is true that we are helpless in the face of penultimate death and dying. We used to not think about death very much as a culture pre-COVID19. We’d avoid it by keeping busy and distracting ourselves with other things. But this year we’re socially shut down, so we spend more time than we did before looking at news media, where death is constantly in our faces. But we are not to be afraid, only to believe. Which is really the only response we have any power over: our choice to believe the word of God. Jump to Romans 10:16 with me where it says: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. If we believe that the Bible is wholly true, then we receive the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit: Faith that the ultimate outcome, eternal life, lies ahead for those who believe.

Today is Halloween, All Hallows’ Evening. Tomorrow is All Saints Day. Our church used to have a tradition on All Saints Sunday which I miss. During the service, the pastor would take time to say the names of the faithful members who had passed away since the last All Saints Day. We would be able to pause, take a moment, and remember them. In the silence between each name, I’d wonder how they were doing, living it up in their mansions set back from those streets of gold.

For those who believe, death has no sting. I’m truly happy for those who have left this world for their eternal home in Paradise. I’m sad because I miss them, but that will pass, after all, I know we will see each other again.

Here’s another trip down my own personal memory lane shared for your listening pleasure. I miss those simple, forthright worship songs of the seventies. I still have this album, and I could probably sing along with every word of every song if I still had a record player.

Together Again by Limpic and Rayburn

I wasn’t going to blog today, too much to do, but then I learned that Sean Connery died today. That news made me sad. It also started my brain thinking about what you’re reading now. Thanks for visiting.