Thursday, May 9, 2002
My wife was driving one night recently when she saw a sad sight by the side of a busy interstate. She first noticed a dog standing dangerously close to the edge of the highway. Then she realized that the dog was actually standing over another animal that was lying in front of him. The dog was sniffing his companion, and nuzzling his companion, and apparently pushing it trying to get some response. She said the dog would look up at passing motorists with an expression that seemed to say, "Can anybody do something?" Well, no one could.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Most Powerless Moment of All."
That sad moment was a reminder to me of that moment that leaves all of us feeling so totally powerless - any moment when we are facing the inescapable reality of death. The death of someone we love - or the prospect of our own. I got to the hospital only moments after my father had died. And there was nothing I could do. I've stood by the casket, the graveside of many people I love - and again, I was powerless. And one day, inevitably, it will be your funeral or mine that folks will be coming to.
It doesn't matter how much financial power you have - how much political or religious power - there's nothing you can do when death comes calling. It is the ultimate reminder that God is in charge and we are not. Even in the happiest moments of our life. God is God and we are not. A funeral is, or should be, life's ultimate wakeup call. When we are staring death in the face, our heart is crying, "Can somebody do something?" And no one can - except the One who gave us our life in the first place.
You and I are one heartbeat from eternity. Which is why our word for today from the Word of God is such incredible good news. Hebrews 2:14 reveals what decisive power Jesus Christ has over this monster that we can do nothing about. It says of Jesus, "He shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
What a prospect - freedom from the fear of death, from the power of death. Because Jesus died Himself - on the cross - to cancel the sin that has sentenced all of us to a spiritual death penalty. Because your sins have already been paid for by Jesus, they can be forgiven - by Jesus - and only Jesus. Which means you have nothing to fear when you breathe your last breath and you stand before the One who's made you. The sins that would otherwise make it impossible for you to enter heaven are gone!