THE SHADOW OF DEATH
NOTE FROM BARNEY: Once again, thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. It’s been a good week, but obviously my heart is still very tender and filled with pain at times. The Lord has been meeting me in amazing ways, as I try to stay connected to him each moment.
Donald Grey Barnhouse, a pastor in Philadelphia, was returning home with his children from the funeral of his first wife. He struggled to find words to comfort them in their grief. Then a huge moving van passed them. The shadow of the truck swept over the car, and as the truck pulled in front of them, an inspiration came to Dr. Barnhouse. “Children, would you rather be run over by a truck, or by its shadow?” he asked.
They replied, “Well, of course Dad, we’d much rather be run over by the shadow! That can’t hurt us at all.”
Dr. Barnhouse said, “Did you know that two thousand years ago the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus in order that only its shadow might run over us?” (Lou Nicholes Missionary/Author). (Source: https://www.family-times.net/illustration/Troubled/200318/)
A point well taken. Remember as a child making shadow figures with your hands? Camels, birds, and lions. But they weren’t real. Shadows only temporarily block the light from shining, and then vanish. Shadows can surprise us, frighten us, even sadden us, but they can’t harm us—because shadows aren’t real.
Psalm 23 contains this oft-quoted phrase, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (verse 4). Interesting choice of words David uses as he speaks of facing death. He understood death was merely a shadow, and in the end he would “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (verse 6).
When we face the death of someone we love, a shadow passes over our hearts. Without Jesus, it can plunge us into the depths of darkness and despair. But because Jesus was “run over by the truck of death,” he removed the sting of the grave. Death is a temporary shadow, with no power to harm us.
As a minister, I’ve sat by the beds of dozens of people as they were passing away. The difference between those who have faith and those who don’t, is profound. Those dying without God are often filled with terror. But those who know Jesus, possess hope—often even joy. On several occasions, as Linda was passing, she said she was “excited” to die and “looking forward” to heaven.
Of course there’s sorrow in someone’s passing. But understanding that Jesus conquered death frees us from fear. Just as Dr. Barnhouse discovered, death is a mere shadow with no power to harm us.
Principle: Death is a shadow, with no power to harm us.
Ponder:
When have you experienced the shadow of death in someone you love?
How does knowing death is merely a shadow help you to face the fear of death?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Psalm 23.
Prayer: Victorious Christ, thank you for delivering me from the fear of death. Help me to embrace the reality of your resurrection that destroyed death’s power.