Romans 6:1-14
We generally live in a culture that is fascinated with death. It only takes a few minutes with a remote control to see that almost all the popular shows on television relate to dying. Sadly, most of the death on TV happens as the result of someone’s sin – usually murder! Only the Hallmark channel will have stories of death related to sickness or tragedy, and usually in those cases we do not see much about the actual death.
Growing up in the city in 2019, very few of us are exposed to the literal experience of death. Some of us grew up on farms where we saw livestock or pets die, but for the most part you and I only encounter death when a loved one or co-worker passes away. So how do we understand the author of Romans when he writes “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus?”
Having visited the hospital room or home of many people who have passed away, I can honestly say that there is a sense of peace, holiness, and love that is present when someone we know and loved has entered into the Kingdom of Heaven. It does not take away the sadness or grief that we experience, but we also know that it has taken away the suffering and pain of that person. We all know that the sin of this world – jealousy, anger, injustice, vengeance, etc. – is not the way God wants us to experience life. So when we become “alive to God in Christ Jesus” we experience the fullness of joy, hope, love, and peace that comes from knowing God. When our loved ones die (and when we die) I believe that we enter into union with God that brings the ultimate healing and hope and joy and love that God has for us. We can truly know the power of resurrection and come to fully know that death is not the end, but just the beginning of our eternal life with God and the people we love.
Dear God, in the midst of a world filled with hurt and pain and sadness, help me to focus on the gift of your love and the promise of eternal life through your son Jesus Christ. – Amen.
Rev. Phil Greenwald, Executive Pastor of Administration
