Watching the ceremonies as a former US President is laid to rest, you can’t help but notice the contrast between this beautiful farewell and the horrifying departure of the former head of state from another country, as he is sent away as an unfit man. to walk on the face of the earth.
It’s been a week of killing: first for musician James Brown, whose claim to fame is his wonderfully popular song, “I Feeeeeeeeeel Good!” -suitable for the way he lived his life. Then, just after his death, Gerald Ford dies, a humble and good man who brought healing to our country during one of our dark times as a nation. And then Saddam Hussein, called “the butcher of Baghdad,” who brought horror and outrage to countless of his compatriots.
An amazing juxtaposition of three lives, three men leaving this earth, each with a different kind of influence, and one wonders, probably reaching different destinations.
It cannot be overlooked that the year 2006 ends with a stark triple image of death. It is almost as if the image is being thrown before us, forcibly drawing our attention: “here are three men, three lives leaving earth, three men going to the end of eternity that suits them.” Isn’t it interesting, intriguing, that this is the image we all have before us as this year comes to a close?
I wonder what these three found at the time of their death. Two of them lived for themselves, for fame, power, wealth. The other unexpectedly inherited the presidency of the United States of America, never having aspired to that office, but assuming in a time of scandal and great dishonor to the office, and turning it over by his goodness alone, and restoring the honor to the presidency. .
This year closes with an image that calls us: what mark will we leave during our lives? Will we leave the earth having been a blessing or a curse? having achieved positions of power and name and wealth, or never having been known, perhaps doing good without applause, without notoriety, without pay, or fame, or even the desire for it.
I suspect that with the theme of death so clear, so obvious in the way this year closes, perhaps we are being warned that we are entering dangerous times in our world, probably more dangerous than most realize, and that it is of vital importance to decide where we are, for better or for worse, for ourselves or for God, for money or for entertainment, or for service to our Creator. Because many of us will stand before him in the not too distant future and answer to him for the decisions we make, the lifestyles we lead, and the effects we have had on the lives of men.
But there is another death that was suffered, suffered voluntarily by One greater than all these, by one who “endured such a contradiction of sinners against himself.” The most important thing in life, the most important decision we will EVER make, is our response to the gift of this one that offers us the salvation that God procured at such a price, and that changed the destinies of men. This death was the most condescending gift of mercy ever conceived, freely given to “whoever wants” to receive it, but ignored by most.
Perhaps knowing what is soon to come on earth, God is presenting us with an image of death to draw our attention to the subject and persuade us that it is vitally important, it is crucial that we consider this image. before us and think about it. Because if one really reflects on the meaning of what is before us, then one cannot help but think of his own death and what will be his fate. The Messiah, the Christ, the son of God suffered death for us, and our destiny depends on our response to him, which cannot be a gesture of approval, that will not be enough, it has to be an encounter with him that result in a personal “born again” experience for which he died to offer you and me, and he said that unless one has this experience one cannot perceive or in any way understand the Kingdom of God. (John 3:3) This is a death that men foolishly ignore, for this life is short, and the life to come is long. There is nothing more important than making sure where you are going to live that.
“Crowds, crowds in the valley of decision!
Because the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
Joel 3:14