For some reason, our daughters became interested in the “expiration dates” on perishable food several years ago. I suspect they heard someone say “the milk has gone bad” or maybe they saw a news article about someone becoming sick because of expired pop tarts. Regardless, it has become their half-joking protocol to look for the expiration date on the packaging of nearly every item in the refrigerator. We lovingly tease them, knowing that the vast majority of food in America is safe today, and that we as good parents would never have expired potato chips in the pantry (hint of sarcasm!).
I believe all of us, whether explicitly or not, wonder about when we will die. Even though we as Christians know about the gift of eternal life and the promise of heaven, we still find the mysterious nature of death can consume our thoughts. We ponder how, where, why and when we will die. We do as much as we can to avoid death. We grieve and mourn those who die, especially when it does not seem “fair” or “right” because of our own expectations.
The entire chapter of I Corinthians 15 is worth reading, while I Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-57 are the ones I read at nearly every funeral or committal where I officiate. The author talks about perishability and mortality and the sting of death, but ends the passage reminding us of the victory that comes to us when we know Christ and are raised up with Christ. I certainly do not understand all the details of resurrection or heaven, but I do know that both are true! I believe that God will fulfill his promises and we will understand all the details when we need to. I have faith that God will allow us to experience His love and, in doing so, we will gain a much deeper understanding to the answers of the questions we ask.
The next time you check the expiration date on your candy bar or juice, take a moment to give thanks to God that no matter when we die, we can know that God will reveal Himself to us and we will experience what it really means to live in the presence of the Almighty God.
Thank you, God, for making a way so that we can experience life here and now and life eternal. We give you praise and thanks for giving us the victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ! – Amen.
Rev. Phil Greenwald, Executive Pastor of Administration
