May 21
1 Sam 29:1-31:13 | PS 118:1-18 | Prov 15:24-26 | John 11:55-12:19
Though most non- believers fear death, and most believers do not fear death, I believe that most everyone would not want to know when and how they were going to die. Most non- believers fear death, because though they often don’t believe in hell, they feel that it represents the end of the road. Believers know they are sinners, and do and have done many things they are not proud of, but take heart and confidence in the fact that they are forgiven. How one approaches death often comes down to whether one is a believer or not. Dwight L. Moody, 19th century evangelist, on his deathbed, said, “Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.” Voltaire, famous 18th century atheist, said, “ I am abandoned by God and man; I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months' life." (He said this to Dr. Fochin, who told him it could not be done.) "Then I shall die and go to hell!" (His nurse said: "For all the money in Europe I wouldn’t want to see another unbeliever die! All night long he cried for forgiveness."
In today’s reading we see two individuals who know exactly when and how they will die. King Saul foolishly consults a medium to seek advice from Samuel from the dead. Samuel informs him in 1 Samuel 28:15-19 that Saul would die in battle the next day. Saul was despondent and refused food. The next day in battle, Saul fled from the battle, only to be wounded, and eventually he finished the job himself, thrusting himself on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:1-5). Jesus knew He was to be killed on the Passover and knew how He was to die, having spoken of it numerous times before. But Jesus doesn’t flee or fear. He rides in triumphantly on the donkey in John 12:12-19. Later in the Garden of Gethsemane after a time of prayer with the Father, He willingly allows Himself to be taken and sacrificed.
Saul died seeing himself a failure. Jesus died knowing He was victorious. For those who have been in an accident, there is that moment when you know impact is about to occur, and the only question is how bad will the damage and injury be. We will all face death one day, unless we are raptured beforehand. Like the two men above we can either face it in fear and desperation or triumphantly in expectation. Anyone who wants to believe their good works will be enough, at that moment will also bring to mind the many bad works we are all guilty of. None of us differ in this regard, for we are all sinners. The only difference is that when Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), I and many others believe what He said. My eternal destination hinges on what He already did, not on what I do. So, though most of us don’t really want to know the time and hour of our last breath, if we have a true faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are already victorious.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: