Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Very few people want to talk about death. They don't want to face the reality of their death. They are fearful of talking about death with those who are considered terminally ill. Those dying often don't want to burden others with their impending death, so they do not discuss their important life principles as they "stare death in the face." Many precious opportunities for genuine conversations with those dying never happen. Heartfelt conversations with those about to be "left behind" are lost forever. All of this stands in stark contrast to what the Scriptures teach us about conversations that can and should happen as someone walks "through the darkest valley" of life. [1]
As Paul and Peter each faced their impending death, they used the emotions and urgency of the moment to share important messages with the people [2] and churches [3] they loved. This was what Peter was doing in our relationship verses for today. Peter and Paul knew that Jesus came to defeat our reasons to fear death. [4] They wanted us to be confident that through Jesus we have victory over death. [5]
In our passage, Jesus had shown Peter that his time to "leave this earthly life" was near. Rather than bemoan his fate or lose this precious time for redemptive work for Jesus, Paul lived and ministered in the urgency of the moment. He urged those he loved to stand firm and remember what he had taught them so it could sustain them after he was gone. [6]
Much of what Peter wrote to disciples in 2 Peter 1 are truths of great urgency that he shared as he faced his own death. (I urge you to read this whole chapter and feel the urgency of these words.) The disciples' spiritual growth, perseverance in their faith, efforts to grow in Jesus, and commitment to stand firm all mattered more to Peter than his comfort or rescue from death. Wow, what a powerful personal testimony to leave them, as well as those of us who read his words today!
So, what should we do with verses like these? For me, there are several vital relational truths we must take with us from the examples of Peter and Paul as they faced death:
We never know when death will intrude and temporarily separate us [6] from those we love. When we do have a sense of impending death, let's show the dying and those left behind the respect of sincere, urgent, and important conversations about values and the kind of life that matters eternally.
Loving and tender Shepherd, my Abba Father, please give me the wisdom I need to make every moment and conversation count, especially in the lives of those I love. Holy Spirit, please give me divine wisdom to hear the hearts of those with whom I have conversations. "Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is." [A] "Teach [me] to realize the brevity of life so that [I] may grow in wisdom." [B] Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering death and assuring me of life forever with You. I want to use my confidence in You to share meaningful truth in the face of impending death, knowing that our future is secure in You. I ask this prayer because of Your authority and power over all things. Amen.
Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.
'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Comments
Archived Facebook Comments