“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
“World Death Rate Holding Steady at 100 Percent,” reads the headline. Here’s the fine print. Dateline: GENEVA SWITZERLAND. “World Health Organization officials expressed disappointment Monday at the group’s findings that, despite the enormous efforts of doctors, rescue workers and other medical professional worldwide, the global death rate remains constant at 100 percent.
“Death, a metabolic affliction causing total shutdown of all life’s functions, has long been considered humanity’s number one health concern. Responsible for 100 percent of all recorded fatalities worldwide, the condition has no cure.”
In the article activist, Ralph Nader is quoted as saying, “Why should we continue to spend billions of dollars a year on a health care industry whose sole purpose is to prevent death, only to find, once again, that death awaits us all? That’s called a zero percent return on our investment, and that’s not fair. It’s time the paying customer stood up to the HMO’s and to the so-called ‘medical health professionals’ and said, ‘Enough is enough. I’m paying through the nose here, and I don’t want to die.'” (Internet: www.theonion.com/onions3102/deathrate.html, March 28, 2001).
By now, you have undoubtedly concluded that this is not serious news, but a spoof, a solemn reminder that the death rate has held steady for a long, long time, and frankly, should be humanity’s number one health consideration.
I’m reminded of the businessman who had been very successful, but his persistent coughing finally brought him to the doctor’s office. The doctor examined the man and told him that if he wanted to live longer, he had to leave the wet, humid climate in which he lived and move somewhere that had a dry, warm climate.
Searching for that place, the rich man got into his Mercedes Benz and headed west. Pulling into a small town off the busy interstate in Arizona, he drove down Main Street stopping in front of the local post office where several old timers were sitting on the curb, spitting and swapping yarns about the good old days.
Hitting the power button, the businessman rolled down the window and called over to the men sitting on the curb. “Excuse me,” he began, “could one of you tell me what the death rate is in this town?” Looking at the stranger, one of the men called out, “Same as it is back where you came from, mister–just one to a customer!”
That’s the whole point. Whether you drive a Mercedes or ride a bicycle, whether you live in a mansion or a tiny apartment somewhere, whether you have an income in the millions or struggle to put rice and fish on the table, the reality is that we are all equal when it comes to the mortality rate.
OK, so what’s the insight? If life at its longest is short – and it is – then you need to prepare, not simply to die, but to die in Christ so you will live forever. In the book of Job, written 4000 years ago, the question is asked, “If a man dies, will he live again? I will wait for my renewal to come” (Job 14:14).
Anthropologists tell you that every culture they have ever studied reflects the belief that death isn’t the end, and though they differ in their understanding of what a person does to find eternal life, all cultures hold the belief that when you die, you don’t just fade into dark oblivion but live somewhere forever–either in heaven as they know it, or hell as they perceive and fear it.
The Bible takes away any guesswork. It says you will live forever, and that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring eternal life. In the Garden Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
Never forget that the world death rate is holding steady at 100%.
Resource reading: John 21.
