The Real Tragedy
Recently, while discussing the sudden and wholly unexpected death of a mutual acquaintance with a member of my family, the following statement was made, "I do not care who it is, something like this is a real tragedy." Later as I reflected upon what I had heard, I realized that this statement sets forth a mistaken idea. Death, per se, is not a real tragedy!
Nature, not to mention God's word (Eccl. 9:5; Josh. 23:14; Heb. 9:27), teaches us that man is born to one day die. In fact, a sudden, accidental death could be counted as a blessing when we consider the months, or even years, of suffering endured by many before the spirit makes its escape from the body.
We should realize that to those who are prepared to meet God death is not tragic, but is, in fact, desirable. Paul spoke of dying as "gain" (Phil. 1:21); he was "willing rather to be absent from the body." (II Cor. 5:8); he was also "ready to be offered" (II Tim. 4:6). John, by inspiration, wrote, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." (Rev. 14:13). "Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints." (Psa. 116:15), wrote David.
The tragedy is not death — all of us must die. Death is as natural, and as much a part of life as is the birth of a child. One is our entrance into this world — the other our exit from it. A life spent in rebellion against God, thinking only of self, and of the joys ofthis world is the real tragedy.
Death, it is true, seals the doom of those who are unprepared to stand before God in judgment (Prov. 11:7; Heb. 9:27). Contrary to popular belief, there will not be a second chance for the ungodly (Luke 16:19-31). Indeed death catches many unprepared, but for most it would make little, if any, difference if their life were extended. They have been, are, and would continue to live in rebellion to the God who made them (Matt. 7:13-14).
Can we, in truth, call it a tragedy when one has gone "the way of all the earth" (Josh. 23:14)? Is not the real tragedy to so live as to judge ones self "unworthy of eternal life" (Acts 13:46)? Is not life, without God, the real tragedy?