The Taste of Death

Matthew 16:27–28 NKJV

27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

The most significant weekend in history began with death. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ changed the world. And it was through the death of Jesus, and His subsequent resurrection that we have hope and life.

Today, I want to talk to you about death. Death is something that we all have to face but often avoid. Since the fall, the effect of death seems to touch all of aspects of our life, from the death of a dream, of a relationship, of a business venture, to physical and spiritual death.

Sometimes it can be hard to process and it can be a struggle with the meaning or purpose or point of death.

Our text is an interesting one and it is possible to be confused by what Jesus is saying. He appears to be talking about the second coming. And He told the disciples that at least some of them would not taste death until they see Him coming with His kingdom.

Wait? Doesn’t “taste death” mean die? If it does, it means that some wouldn’t die until He returned. Some theologians believe that Jesus was only talking about His resurrection, transfiguration, and ascension (which does happen in the next chapter). And that is possible. But that doesn’t speak to the fullness of His second coming.

Other theologians point to the fact that this was a phrase used in the first century. The Rabbis used it and some used it regarding legacy. So it could be that Jesus was talking about their legacy until the kingdom comes - their witness and testimony will become unimportant when He returns.

But what is interesting is the words used. The word “taste” can mean to “taste”, “experience”, or “partake.” It is also used in the sense of “to come to feel”, “to learn in one’s own experience,” or “to come to an inward awareness of.” In Hebrew it further means “discretion” “discernment” and “judgment.” In Daniel’s time it speaks to the value of the food (e.g. kosher vs. otherwise). So what does that mean for our text? It means that Jesus could have been saying that the disciples would not be able to know the value of death until His return.

Illustration: The taste of a strawberry is not something you can easily (or accurately) describe. You have to taste it for yourself.

There is a real sense that we can not understand the value of death until we experience it. But because Jesus has tasted death for us, He can point us to its true value.

Hebrews 2:14–18 NKJV

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

The NT presents death as a necessary path to freedom and life. Jesus illustrated this on the cross. We need to recover the meaning of the cross to fully experience its blessing in our lives.

When we discover the message of the cross we will no longer fear the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55). Instead we will rejoice in the victory of Jesus through His death on the cross (cf. Philippians 2:8-11).

Life Through Death

Hebrews 9:27 M:BCL

Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.

As the saying goes, “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.” We know death is coming for us all. And ignoring death doesn’t make it go away. But isn’t that how most of us face the prospect of death? Many live their lives avoiding death in any possible way.

Think of all the money spent on avoiding sickness, disease, aging and death. There are billionaires who are investing in longevity projects.

But living to avoid death is not truly living.

We need to learn that death can be a springboard to greater things.

Because Jesus knew this He endured the shame of death on a cross for the joy that was to come afterward (Hebrews 12:1-2). Because He endured the cross He took the throne and went ahead to prepare a place for us (Ephesians 1:20, John 14:2-3).

Entering Into Life After Death

Luke 9:23 NKJV

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Jesus invites us into life through death, victory through suffering.

Luke 9:23 M:BCL

Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.

After the cross came resurrection. After the suffering came joy.

Jesus knew this was the way it would be. Here are some ways that we can enter into life beyond the cross.

Put to Death Our Sins

Romans 8:13 NKJV

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

There is a paradox with sin and death and freedom and life.

Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). And without death we can not be free from sin. And the problem is that we carry about what the Scripture calls, “the body of death” (Romans 7:24).

Illustration: One of the forms of punishment for murder in Roman times was where they chained the dead body of the killed person to the murderer. If they cut the body off they would be killed. They had to carry the weight of the rotting, stinking corpse on their back until they died.

The only way to be freed from the weight of sin is to die.

Romans 6:5–14 NKJV

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

When we put to death our sins at the cross we will live. The weight of guilt and shame is lifted and the stain of sin is removed when we confess and forsake our sins (cf. 1 John 1:9).

We take of our cross daily. Bring your sins to the Lord and enjoy forgiveness and grace (Luke 11:4).

Leave the Curse at the Cross

Galatians 3:10–14 NKJV

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

When Jesus went to the cross, He bore the curse of sin and separation from God. In doing so, He released the blessing of the promise of God to us.

His cursed death leads to our blessed life. The cost of our blessing was His cursing.

Illustration: Having a closet full of junk. Things we don’t use or need. Things that just take up space. No room for new things. Until you clear it out, you won’t be able to put new things in there.

We need to leave the curse at the cross and receive the freedom, blessing, and healing that Christ purchased.

Without the cross and the death of Jesus we could not be free. But because of the cross blessing was released. Leave the curse at the cross and walk in the blessing that Christ purchased for you.

Let Go and Live

John 12:23–26 M:BCL

23 Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. 25 In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal. 26 “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

Death brings meaning and value to life. But to hold on to life without God leads to our own destruction.

On the other hand, surrendering our life to God and dying to our will and our way and putting it into God’s hands leads to forever, real, eternal life.

Illustration: the seed, the promise - the potential is there but it has to let go before it can realize its fullness.

This illustration assigns value to us giving up our lives to God so that we can truly discover a better kind, quality, and state of life. We have to let go of life on our terms and live according to God’s so that we can enter into the superior and abundant life that God has for us in Christ.

Conclusion

Easter weekend begins with the cross. With death. The death of Jesus became the seed that would spring up into eternal life.

In Christ we discover that there is no need to fear death. We will find the hope and promise of the kingdom of God.

When we die to our sins we find freedom.

It was through the death of Christ the curse was broken and our blessing was secured.

If we truly want to experience life we have to give ours up and let it go and put it into God’s hands. In that sense, our death leads to new life. New life in Christ releases us to walk in our full potential and fruitfulness (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 NLT

1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.