NOT ALLOWED TO DIE
In 2008, the mayor of a village in southwest France threatened residents with severe punishment if they died, because there is no room left in the crowded cemetery to bury them.
Based on a county ordinance, Mayor Gerard Lalanne told the 260 residents of Sarpourenx, “All persons not having a plot in the church cemetery and wishing to be buried there are forbidden from dying in the parish… Offenders will be severely punished.” (Source: ABC News, 02/05/2008)
Not allowed to die? I’d like to know how you would enforce that law and what the punishment would be for a dead person who broke it! Pass all the laws you want against dying, but deciding not to die is pretty much out of our control.
However, setting aside our human paradigm of life and death, Jesus went even further than this mayor, promising his followers they would never die. “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
It’s not an overstatement when I say that is the most astounding statement ever uttered! Think about those words. “You… will… never… die!” What could be more powerful? What could be more profound? The search for eternal life is the dream of humankind. Ponce de Leon died, trudging through the swamps of Florida, seeking the Fountain of Youth. But we don’t need the Fountain of Youth. Because of Jesus, we can cast aside our greatest fear: death; and embrace our greatest desire: to live forever.
How could anyone make such an outlandish claim? Because when Jesus rose from the grave, he conquered death. He stared “the grim reaper” in the face and walked out of the tomb, never to die again. Because of his victory, we can access his promise of living eternally. If we believe in him, we will never die.
Of course we’ll exit this world someday, but it’s like walking from one room into another. The real you will live forever. And we’ll experience a life far more wonderful than we’ve ever imagined. Unlike the French mayor’s injunction, you won’t be punished for dying. Instead, by living in connection with Jesus, you’ll be rewarded. You have His word on it. Death is not an option. According to Jesus, you are not allowed to die!
UPDATE ON LINDA: Linda has good and bad days as her body struggles with healing reactions from detoxing —things such as nausea, mood swings, and depression. It’s a battle not to grow weary physically, psychologically, and spiritually. A week from today (Friday), she has a procedure to drain the fluid in her abdomen, which has created difficulty breathing. Please pray that goes well.
Principle: Because of his resurrection, Jesus promises that we will live forever
Ponder:
On a scale of one to ten, how much do you believe this promise of Jesus?
How does this promise give you hope and comfort as you face difficulties and death?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study John 11:1-44.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise that I will live forever. During troubling times, fill my heart with this assurance.