April 2006
Life,
Death and Eternal Life
“We were therefore
buried with him through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of the
father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)
Recently a member of our congregation passed away. And I was
asked by the family to share some thoughts at the memorial
service. And I chose to share these words from Scripture
found in Romans Chapter 6. I shared with the family that
since the deceased was baptized they shared in Christ’s
death, but not only in his death, they shared in his
resurrection and new life! What a great comfort it is to
know that because we are bound to our Lord in faith, we may
follow him to the grave, but that we also follow him in the
resurrection.
There probably is no better time for a pastor to share the
message of hope beyond the grave than at the time of Lent
and Easter. For that is what we celebrate this season-the
life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our Lord. In this
season of Lent we reflect on the sufferings and crucifixion
of Jesus Christ. But we do so not focusing only on the pain
and agony, but with an eye to the coming celebration of
Easter. Thank God that we have that hope. Thank the Lord
that amidst our suffering we know that we have a Savior who
suffered too. And thank God that though we have loved ones
who die, and though we too will all face death, that we have
a Savior who died too. And thank God that because our Savior
was victorious over the grave, that we too will rise to new
life.
For those of us who are alive, I ask this question: "how do
you face death?" Do you do so with an eye to the promised
resurrection? And furthermore, I ask this question: "how do
you view life?" Do you see it as a life that is united with
Christ? Have you had what Oswald Chambers calls a "white
funeral?” – that is, a burial of your old life? Have you
died to yourself in your baptism and so become united with
Christ and his death? As we conclude this season of Lent
with an eye to the Easter resurrection, may you see in the
life, death and resurrection of your Savior, hope for your
own life, death and eternal life! In His name,
Pastor Augie
