Wednesday, February 26, 2025
“O death, where is
your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15: 55 -56, New Living Translation)
I read an article this morning
that explained that some scientists have found that “the brain activity of a
clinically dead patient is a sign of the ‘soul leaving the body.’” They think
that they have discovered that even when all clinical, vital life signs are ended
that there is still some sort of energy flowing in the brain, in fact “an
energy spike in the brain.” Another
study found out that there is gamma activity in the brain after death. “Gamma
activity in the brain is high frequency and is associated with cognitive
functions like attention, working memory, sensory perception, information
processing and more.” Interesting stuff for what it is worth.
But shoot – Christians have
always known that there is more to living that just this physical presence
alone. “Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they
will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they
will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised
in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised
as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also
spiritual bodies.” (1 Corinthians 15: 42-44)
I have encountered Christians
who are very dubious about what happens after death. They think it sounds far
fetched. Indeed, it can be hard to get our minds and imaginations around the
concept of an afterlife and eternity. Despite the science, one way or the
other, the idea of some heavenly ever-after can be a tough hope for us. A
glorious hope but one which has no real, tangible proof – again some science aside.
Mostly, I have encountered
Christians who have a robust and lively faith when it comes to what happens
after death. Jesus’ words to the thief who was crucified next to him gives us confidence
and assurance: “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43) Family members use the idea of a heaven to look forward to
reunions with loved ones. Others may look forward to no more pain, no more
sorrow, no more tears. Some may look forward to enjoyment of a favourite
activity. “Don’t let this rattle you," Jesus said. "You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.
There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would
I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on
my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where
I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.” (John 14: 1 - 4, The
Message Bible) I am sure we will find something to do in one of those rooms!
What happens after death is
still a mystery. But it’s more than just an unknown. It’s a promise and a hope
and a possibility. It will be change. It
will be transformation. It will be beautiful. It may be surprising.
“But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we’ll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! Who got the last word, oh, Death? Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?” (1 Corinthians 15: 51 – 57, The Message Bible)
Just as surely as there are
seedlings under all this snow, and everything looks so lifeless, spring is
waiting to raise those seedlings to new life. So it is for us under God’s gift
of eternal life. Isn’t Life wonderful!
Dale
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