Dying Well

 2018-02-18 2 Death is a stranger 1
Modern Western society has become a stranger to death
The last taboo
We’ve become awkward around the dying and the grieving
We need to rediscover the Christian art of dying well
Rob Moll, The Art of Dying 3 Learning from how Jesus died 1
Jesus’s death was a unique event
But also a pattern to follow
The main lesson: Jesus was not a victim of death
“No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” Jn 10:18 4 Learning from how Jesus died 1
The “power of death” (Heb 2:14)
Alienation from our own bodies
Alienation from our communities
Alienation from God
Jesus responds to these threats in ways that are both mundane and faithful
He honors embodied life
He recognizes relationships
He trusts God 5 Jesus honors embodied life: Seek to be spared 1
Jesus did not welcome death
At Gethsemane, Jesus was “distressed and agitated” Mk 14:33
Death is not a friend; it is “the last enemy” (1Cor 15:26)
It is not Jesus’s death that is glorified, but “life in his name” (Jn 17)
It is appropriate to ask to be spared and seek curative treatment
However, although life is good, it is not the greatest good 6 Jesus honors embodied life: Accept physical comforts 1
Jesus drank sour wine
“I am thirsty” Jn 19:28
He did refuse wine mixed with gall (Mt 27:34); he did not want to hasten or deaden his death
Accept palliative care
Do not disdain your body, its comfort or its delights, while you are dying
This may require you to humbly accept being a “bother” 7 Jesus trusts God: Lament the power of death to fight it 1
Jesus lamented the power of death
“My God, why have you forsaken me?” Mk 15:34
Lament and faith are compatible
Laments fully express distress, powerlessness, anger and sorrow, but look heavenward and find 1 2018-02-18 Laments fully express distress, powerlessness, anger and sorrow, but look heavenward and find hope
Trust God to be delivered from the power of death as you die 8 Jesus recognizes relationships: Forgiveness 1
Jesus forgave his enemies
“Father, forgive them” Lk 23:34 (also Acts 7:60)
Be assured of Christ’s forgiveness
Extend that forgiveness to others
Death and sin make their power felt in the sundering of relationships, in alienation from those we love and ought to love
Repent, apologize, and make things right 9 The thief recognizes relationships: Refuse to be self-absorbed 1
The thief stuck up for Jesus
“this man has done nothing wrong” Lk 23:41
Jesus approves: “today you shall be with Me in Paradise” Lk 23:42
I know you’re dying, but it’s not all about you
He refused to be self-absorbed in his dying
He expressed concern for those who also die
He was devoted to God’s cause 10 Jesus recognizes relationships: Make provision for loved ones 1
Jesus made arrangements
“Behold, your mother” Jn 19:27
Here we see a son making what provision he can for his mother’s well-being
Make appropriate arrangements for the well-being of your surviving loved ones
Material, emotional and spiritual 11 Jesus trusts God: Rely on God 1
Jesus trusted God
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” Lk 23:46; (also Acts 7:59)
A Jewish bedtime prayer (Ps 31:5); a prayer for deliverance and an expression of trust
Trust God now as you always have
After arrangements are made, trust that God will provide for your loved ones
To die with faith is easier if you have lived with faith 2