Discovering the Fountain of Life: the gospel for the ages (5)

• Posted on sdgale
• in 'CHOP Talk' Blog
• on May 6, 2013
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Adapted from Chapter Nine, “The Vanity of Strength and Beauty” from Making Sanity Out of Vanity: Christian realism in the book of Ecclesiastes by Stanley D. Gale (EP Books, 2011)

We can note another way God presents this contrast of sources of life.  Most of us are familiar with the shepherd of the twenty-third Psalm.  But the psalms tell us of another shepherd.  That other shepherd is given this preface:

“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.” (Psalm 49:7-9)

Who is this shepherd unable to rescue from the pit?  Who is this shepherd who leads his flock to the grave? The psalmist tells us, “Death shall be their shepherd.” (Psalm 49:14)

Yet for those who by God’s grace have been loved and purchased and sought, the Lord shall be their shepherd.  They shall not want.  God himself is with them in goodness and mercy as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death cast under the oppressive sun of this fallen world.  All those vivid images of the twenty-third psalm belong to them. Nothing can wrest them from the Shepherd’s hand.  Nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  He was able to give his life as a ransom for others.  He did what we could not, nor could any other do for us.

As a pastor I’ve conducted many funerals.  Some have been for members of my own congregation.  Others, various funeral directors have tapped my services for those without a home church.  For those whose shepherd is the Lord, the funeral is not so much about death as it is about life.

At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus declared that he was the resurrection and the life, and that for those who trust in him, even though that person physically dies, he will live on into eternity.  Jesus didn’t stop there with that statement. He pressed the point. He asked Martha, “Do you believe this?”

At funerals of believers, those whose faith rests and rejoices in Jesus, I have the joy of leading in celebration of the grace of God in their lives.  Along with Martha, they did believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of sinners, the Good Shepherd, the fountain of life—and by believing they have life in his name.

Death is part of life in this world.  But for those who trust in Jesus, death is conquered.  In one sense, death at the end of life’s road is no longer an enemy.  It becomes an ally.  The Apostle expresses this when he says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Let me close with this wonderful promise from the mouth of Jesus.  It is extended to those still living.   It leads us to a fountain of life that will never disappoint.

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. …Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:21, 24)

SDG