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Scripture for Sunday, November 26: Luke 23:32-43--but if you have time, read the whole chapter.
Additional Scripture: Philippians 1:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 57-58
Last week in our Words on the Wall series, we heard Paul gush about the amazing realities of who we are in Christ from Ephesians 1. Rev. Jonker reminded us that focusing on who Jesus is and what he has done for us--his church--grants us freedom to live from a place of faith, hope, and love despite the obstacles we face in being his body on earth.
This week, our Words on the Wall series comes to a close. And it does so by addressing a question that we all face in this life: What Happens When We Die?
With God
We celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend with my extended family. Like others in our church, I think of the people who are missing from our table. And I am thankful for the people who were around the table, knowing that next year isn't guaranteed.
Our table this year included my grandma, who has been a widow for 16 years. Grandpa died of cancer, at home, when I was in college. On the rare occasions when I get to visit grandma on the other side of the state, I can almost picture grandpa sitting in the chair where he died in their living room.
Grandpa was an uncomplicated guy--a carpenter with minimal education whose goals in life were to love his wife and his family and his God. But despite strong faith, dying was scary. Lung cancer is an ugly thing.
Before he died, Grandpa had a dream that gave him great reassurance. The way I remember hearing the story, in Grandpa's dream Jesus met him and welcomed him to a beautifully set table.
Grandpa knew Jesus. And he knew Jesus' and Paul's expectation of conscious blessedness beyond death in the presence of Christ. Hearing Grandpa's story of Jesus' assurance for him helps settle my own convictions about "being absent from the body" and "present with the Lord" deep into my bones.
To be sure, death and dying are scary. We have words to soften the reality of death--"translated," "passed away," or "fell asleep." But encountering death with the One who has conquered it makes all the difference.
This Sunday, Rev. Jonker will unpack each word of Jesus' response to the thief on the cross: "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
1) Does your family or family-in-faith have stories of assurance in the face of death that give you hope? What are they?
2) The Hebrew concept of life (often translated "soul") is "nephesh," which means "life" or "living thing." This is different from our Western view of a body/soul duality. Our "souls" and "bodies" constitute one living thing--and its life is incredibly valuable and important! It's what allows us to glorify God in his creation, and to interact with one another and the world.
When the psalmist asks, "do the dead praise you?" in the infamous Psalm 88, the question is rhetorical--of course the dead don't praise God!
Yet Psalm 88 throws into sharper relief the good news of Christ's resurrection, our hope for life in him immediately after death, and the resurrection of our bodies that is to come. Read and reflect on Psalm 88 with the good news of Christ in view.
3) Watch this short video of NT Wright on life after death and the resurrection of all things. Reflect or discuss what he proposes as different or the same as your own views and convictions.
