Some say there are only two things certain in life – death and taxes. I would suggest that there are a few more certain things, but death is certainly certain. Even though we live in denial, death could come to our door at any time of any day. We will die. How should we approach death – apart from the gospel? And how should the gospel shape our approach to death?
In Luke 23, Luke relates the story of the two criminals on crosses on either side of Jesus. One criminal joins the mockers, but the second rebukes him – “Do you not fear God?” Presumably these two criminals dying outside of Jerusalem are Jews with an understanding of who God is from the Old Testament. They know God is holy and just – he will punish sin. They know God created us to live in a perfect loving relationship with God, but that we sinned against God bringing death and separation and judgment. Perhaps they have heard Jesus warn of hell – a place of separation and judgment after death. Indeed, do you not fear God? You are about to die and face his judgment. You have every reason to fear! Without some good news we are in a heap of trouble.
But the second criminal has noticed something. This Jesus has done nothing wrong. The rest of the New Testament confirms his observation – Jesus was without sin. So if sin brings death, but he is without sin, why is he going to die? Clearly this is further than the thief is thinking, but Peter gives the answer – Jesus is dying for our sins (I Peter 2:24). He is taking our sins upon himself, and the death, judgment, and separation that goes with those sins. Why? So we can escape God’s judgment and be reconciled to God. Again, this is more than the criminal understands, but he somehow realizes that salvation is available from this man dying on the middle cross.
And so the criminal does the only sensible thing. He asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. He looks to Jesus. He is trusting, believing in this man to save him. And Jesus tells him that they will be together in paradise that very day. By looking to Jesus, he has escaped eternal judgment and separation from God. Instead he has received eternal paradise with Jesus. No wonder that Paul later says that death is gain. Why? Because he will be with Jesus (Philippians 1:21-23).
The gospel utterly turns our approach to death around. Instead of separation there is relationship. Instead of judgment there is pardon. Instead of hell there is paradise. Instead of fear there is anticipation.
And yet that is only part of the gospel. For Jesus will not only die and be buried, but he will be raised from the dead. And because he is raised from the dead, those who look to Jesus will also be raised from the dead when Jesus comes back. We will be victorious over death like Jesus (I Corinthians 15). And we will dwell in a new heaven and earth forever with the Lord (Revelation 21). We not only look forward to paradise with Jesus, but even more we hope in our own resurrection. And this hope is not “I wish it were true” hope. It is a certain hope based on the very promises of God.
Yes, there are more things certain than death and taxes. Death is certain. But for the one who looks to Jesus, paradise with him after death is certain. And the resurrection when he returns is certain. And so the gospel shapes our approach to death from fear to anticipation and hope. May we live and die with this anticipation and hope alive in us as we look to Jesus.
Brian J. Mikul 