Tim Chaddick on how acknowledging death asks Christians to look to the life they have in Jesus:
… Remembering the reality of death can do wonders for your response to expectations, pride and fear. And we’re not just talking about the death of Jesus here – although, of course, that’s part of the single greatest, most transformative death of all.
Take a look at the Bible’s hymnal and you’ll see the ways in which an awareness of death plays an important role. There are songs that give voice to external expectations (Psalms 31, 33, 84, 103), pride (Psalms 10, 40, 50, 131) and fear (Psalms 16, 23, 56, 112). If we’re looking for songs about embarrassment and failure need we go further than David’s death-sparked confession in Psalm 51? Do our songs reflect such a range?
Death worship (OK, maybe that’s not quite the right name for it…) can offer us even more than lament. It can lead us to a brighter, bolder faith entirely. If Jesus has taken care of your death, will He not take care of your life? If He’s taking care of the worst fear, what makes you think He will not take care of you now? If we gain from Him the proper perspective of faith, won’t injustice and death fall into their proper – diminished – place?
How’s that for a call to worship?Read the whole post here.
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