Today we lost a dear brother. No matter how prepared we may be, death always takes us off guard. And rightly so. What puzzles me, however, was that although he was ready to go (he told us just a few days ago that he had perfect peace, and was trusting Jesus to take him Home soon), yet he still had to writhe in pain and agony at the very end. WHY? Why do some people slip off quietly yet so many others suffer? If Jesus died for our sin and promises to carry us safely Home to be with Him, can’t He also make that transition itself pleasant and painless?
Today we also got news of a new baby born to another dear family. So much joy! In spite of the pain and agony of childbirth.
Then it hit me! It all ties together and makes sense! God IS working His perfect plan. After Adam and Eve rebelled against God, among the very first things He said to them was that women will have pain in childbirth. I always assumed this was just a random punishment (along with weeds and work). Not at all! God does nothing randomly. This was a picture for us, part of His plan to redeem us and make a way for us to come back home to Him. He also promised them that a Savior would come. We have hope!
Written centuries later, Paul in Romans 8:23-23 explains, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (NIV)
It has been part of God’s plan all along to give us an ongoing reminder of not only the seriousness of our sin (pain and death – paralleling childbirth) but also the hope that he offers (eternal life after death – paralleling the new life in the newborn child.)
So the groaning we all experience is just a necessary doorway as we leave these death-doomed bodies to go on either to life with Him in heaven, or eternal torment without Him in hell. Jesus offered no other options.
The good news is that birth pangs are temporary, both for the mother
as well as the baby, and lead to life and unimaginable joy!
So every time you hear of a newborn child, or a loved one who has died, remember that God does have it covered. He wants us to not get too comfortable in this fallen world and these failing bodies of ours. But to rest our hope fully on His promises, and the finished saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross…FOR US!
Going to go pull some weeds now, and then go greet a new baby. 🙂
