Lent - Day 37 (14/4/2011)

"O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?"

John 8:51-59

The focus of this long discussion in John 8 is sin, and death as a result of it. John has cleverly told the story of how Jesus rescued a woman from "death" because of her sin.

Jesus life-giving words to her were, "Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin," (8:11). Now Jesus says "Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps My Word will never see death." (v51)

Obviously we must understand death to mean "spiritual death" or death as a result of sin.

This is the "second death", the death after death. But I believe the choice of the word "death" here, with no qualification, is deliberate. As we have seen in Sunday's meditation on John 11, death is something that our faith finds hard to conquer. But Jesus wants us to know that we, through our being.

His disciples, are conquerors of the "second death", and therefore need not fear the first death.

So let us read and meditate with thanksgiving on what Jesus says to us today:
"Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps My Word will never see death," (v51)
Do you have a fear of death?
Does the shadow of death over a loved one, a close friend, a member of your church weigh you down?
Only the presence of God can help you and others who touch death or are in touch with death, can overcome the sting of death.

Prayer
Lord, free me from my fear of death.
I now bring before you my concerns about death ...
Lord, indeed You are my shepherd, and I lack nothing.
It is in grassy meadows that You let me lie.
It is by tranquil streams that You lead me to restore my spirit.

You are ever guiding me in paths of saving justice as befits Your Name.
I know that even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for You are ever at my side.

Your staff and Your crook are there to sooth me.
And in the presence of my enemies You prepare a table for me;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely Your kindness and faithful love will pursue me every day of my life.
And I shall dwell in Your house my whole life long.
Thank You, Lord, Thank You!

From Contemplation to Action
Over the past few days we have been meditation on physical death (Lazarus), sin and death,
Resurrection and Life, holding fast to Jesus' teaching, truth, freedom, and physical death.
As we move closer to Good Friday, Jesus moves closer to His own physical death.
Take time to allow these truths to sink deeply into your heart.