5 Days to Live - by Joel Hempel Last week I was thinking: What would you do if you knew you had only five days to live? That was Jesus’ decision to make at the beginning of what we call Holy Week. Five days is not a long time, but it is not a short time. Would you be like the characters in the movie Bucket List and do what you always wanted to do, maybe see the Pyramids, eat a quart of the most expensive ice cream you can find, or maybe jump out of an airplane skydiving? Or would you do what Jesus did?1 Sometimes, even if you are an introvert, you have to have a party. You have a “let’s do my funeral now” party. Like Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, your invitees will have mixed motives for partying with you, but it doesn’t matter. Your goal might be to go out with a prepared message to share. Then there is that matter of cleaning out the mess in your life, you know, those sins and iniquities making a mockery of God’s temple – you! It will require pain, reliance on God’s grace, aggressive dedication, and prayer, but God will provide what’s needed to clean house! Then, what do you do with the rest of the five days? Of course, you want to visit family and dearest friends, those people who have been most supportive. There will be shared memories, laughter, lots of laughter, and final words you want to share. Next, maybe a final meal, a small, intimate gathering of your church family so you can together share the Lord’s Supper. Maybe you even consider offering a dramatic act of humble service. Maybe it’s a generous gift and a prayer of thanksgiving for each of them by name, ending with a challenge for them to likewise give freely. You know, before you leave this life, you want to talk with our Father. This will be a private, intimate conversation. What will you say? Confess your sins and ask forgiveness for the last time? Thank God for your salvation, for your life with Him, and the privilege of serving Him? Final requests on behalf of loved ones? Yes, and more! But, eventually, the fifth day will come. It will be time to leave this life. But it’s okay. You are prepared. You trust in Jesus and his promises. With love surrounding you, you depart in peace. Of course, there will be tears. You will be missed. But those who know you know you have died to live another day.
1. Chapters 12-19 of the Gospel of John |
