As we begin to complete our Lenten journey, there is a stark reality which seems to surface especially at this time of the year. It is no fun to think about and yet it is not something we can avoid. Remember Ash Wednesday? We were made aware of our mortality when reminded by the words, “dust you are and unto dust we shall return.” Not exactly pleasant—but real. And it is true.
So, what are we to do? No question about it: Life is our friend. And death seems like an annoying neighbor from whom we keep our distance. Of course, death waits for its time to knock on our door. And sadly, it comes in many ways and in many forms and it comes to us all. Death does not discriminate against age, sex, race, or all the other labels we use to identify and describe humanity. Death doesn’t care.
What prompted these thoughts is not merely the evening news but more importantly the Good News in the Gospel of John. John tells the story of Lazarus. He paints the picture well and presents it to us with clarity and focus. There is a conversation—almost like an interview—where John reports on Martha and Jesus.
Martha, you may recall, was always the one who was so busy and who Jesus reprimanded for not choosing the good portion. Call her “compulsive” or “Type A” by today’s standards but also, we recognize her anger towards Jesus saying: “Lord, if you had only been here my brother would not have died.”
Then the camera moves in on Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus and Jesus weeps. In the midst of this heartache there are hecklers who question God in the face of death. This is of course, a natural, human response. Who of us today, and have not questioned God over the loss of a loved one?
There is heartache and the conclusions we reach are usually one of three choices:
(1) The first choice is to basically abandon ship, throw in the towel, and look at death as the winner in the end. In the end, death wins.
(2) The second choice is just the opposite. Somehow, we go through all of life wearing Teflon and believing death is not waiting for us. Death is something that happens to everyone else but us.
(3) The third choice is to accept death and recognize that in the end, God wins. We are born to live and born to serve and in God, life never ends. Life is eternal.
Sure, we claim skills, and competencies, and we have gifts from the Holy Spirit to serve for God and when we die these acts of love, compassion, kindness, mercy, and forgiveness, live on. Nothing in the end separates us from the love of God. Everything we do matters to God. Our life is of value, purpose and significance even in the face of death.
So, Jesus stands outside the tomb calling Lazarus to come out. Or today, Jesus may be next to a hospital bed saying, “come out!” Listen again as Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Come out and let the third choice become your first choice.
1 thought on “The Third Choice”
As you said and my dear friend William Slider said,”there is always the third day” Thanks for sharing with us the choice we all have. Blessings to you and Mary and the entire Jennings family.