Health Issues And Facing Death Series

Excuse me! In that culture nothing was more important to a son than burying his father, nothing of course besides following Jesus. What does he mean by let the dead bury their own dead? He’s saying let the spiritually dead who don’t follow me anyway, bury the physically dead. The corpse of a person is of much less importance to me than the Spirit.

When they are gone, they’re gone, and at some point we need to get back into life and focus on the souls that still inhabit bodies down here. I believe there is a purpose for grief, and we can’t and shouldn’t deny the feelings. Having said that, we need to come to a point where we say good-bye, end the official grieving process, and get back to honoring the dead with our life.

Many native American cultures had a very good way of grieving. They would leave the camp to be on their own for a certain number of days to do nothing but grieve a death. Then when they returned they were expected to be done. I think that may be a healthy way to grieve. You don’t ever forget the person, and you have times when you reminisce about them and may feel some fleeting emotions, but the deep grieving is over because you have allowed it to fully move through you. You fully process it all in one long sitting. Then you get on with living.

The final question for today is:

How should we prepare for our own death?

Well I think the first thing we need to do is be aware of our options and don’t wait to prepare for death, because it could happen any minute. I didn’t say live in fear that you could die any minute, but be prepared that if you did, you know where you’re going, and also what you’re leaving behind.

Most non-Christians will do everything to avoid thinking about death and eternity, it’s all about the pleasure mania of our day, but us Christians are to dwell upon and be controlled by the end of this life and the one to come. The end should direct everything we do today.

There’s the practical aspects of having a will and those kind of things, but even more important than the destination of your stuff, is the destination of your soul, and the souls of those around you. Are you sure of where you’re going when you die? Have you left a legacy of faith for your loved ones? Don’t wait until next week or even tomorrow to work this stuff out.

So the best way to prepare for your death is to become a true disciple of Christ and be assured of your salvation. Now Paul is the main spokesperson for salvation by faith alone, but what does he mean in Philippians 2:12 when he says: “Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”.

He follows this by saying it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. So he’s saying, yes if you are saved you will continue in obedience because God is working in you. Again, obedience is the best proof of your salvation and a true saving relationship with the Lord. Because God even works on your will to make you want to do what He wants.