DEATH SERIOUS

If you are over the age of fifty you more than likely have thought about the end of life—death. After all if you are past this bench mark you have lived longer than you’re going to live. Those reading this below this age continue on, you will find it helpful.

Death is unavoidable. It comes to us all sooner or later. Most are in agreement that “later” when older is better. It’s down the road and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I find it curious how reluctant we are to cross that bridge when we get there.  Many people try to ignore its reality. These days when people relate their age they attempt to lessen the aging process by branding themselves in self-soothing terms such as; “thirty is the new twenty” or “fifty is the new forty” and “sixty is the new fifty.” Like it or not we all are getting older and when we were born each one of us began the aging journey. 

When a Christ-follower has settled the matter of death, then he or she is ready to live and to serve. A repeated theme in John’s Gospel is that Jesus knew that his “hour” would come, and he was prepared to obey the Father’s will. Just as Christ yielded his life for us, we too must yield ourselves and be living sacrifices for the will and glory of God. At the close of the Gospel of John Jesus has a conversation with Peter about loving Jesus and feeding his sheep that restores Peter’s fellowship and discipleship with his Lord. After this restoration Jesus tells Peter in John 21:18, “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go."  This is what most of us think about when we get old that we will have others taking care of us because we can’t care for ourselves. But Jesus pointed Peter to see beyond his aged life and told him “Follow Me.” Peter settled the matter by putting his wellbeing on the line the rest of his life in order to glorify God—even unto death.
 
When Jesus says “Follow Me” he is as serious as death about you. How serious are you for him?

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