Death is the loudest and strongest preacher to the unbelieving world. That world may shun all churches and avoid all preachers of the Word of God, but there is one preacher it must hear. Death's church is the whole earth and the heavenly vaults above it; its pulpits are the deathbed, the coffin, the hearse, the grave, and the cemetery. With a piercing voice that penetrates marrow and bone, this preacher calls into the world's ear wherever it goes: "Man, you must die! There is no remaining abode here. The earth is not your homeland. This life is not the destiny given to you. You must finally go out of this world, with all its glory, at an hour unknown to you. Oh, repent. Repent!"
But in incomprehendable delusion, the world does not want to hear death's call to repentance. It must then experience the great might of the king of terrors. If its loved ones die, it cries tears of doubt, then looks on as the grave locks up the corpses forever and their souls flutter and disappear like fog in the air. It looks into eternity as into an unknown land, tormented by doubt.
How differently believers stand by the coffins and graves of their loved ones who have fallen asleep in the faith! For Christ, in whom we have believed, has swallowed up death and removed its power, and He has brought life and immortality to light. Death has become a little bee that has lost its sting, and now it carries nothing but sweet honey in its mouth.
Dr. C. F. W. Walther
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Very interesting post. Here at the LCMS IC where I work, we just recently lost my friend and co-worker Melissa Amerson. She was gunned down in front of her four children by an abusive ex-boyfriend who then turned the gun on himself. Tragic is an understatement. However, after going to her funeral here in STL at Bethlehem Lutheran, I was uplifted and comforted by the message that even though this was an unexpected and horrible situation, she was only 26, she had been preparing both herself and her family for their eternal lives in heaven through confirmation and (soon to be) baptism in the faith. It brought home the point that we never know the future and tragedy can strike, but that this is not the end if we live our lives in Christ.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience here; it is much appreciated.
Post a Comment