The rise and spread of what is called Swine Flu (H1N1 influenza
virus) has caused great concern to people around the world and
features in the headlines in the Media every day. Thankfully it
appears at the present to be a very mild strain but it may mutate
and become more virulent and dangerous. Already it appears to have
claimed over 100 lives, mainly in Mexico where it started.
Governments across the world have taken wise and strong precautions
as it has spread from country to country, and within countries. The
work of the World Health Organisation appears to be very effective
in alerting and supporting countries in responding to this virus.
By and large people have not started to panic although some in
Britain, for instance, have bought face masks and medicines in
readiness. There may be no panic at the moment but there is
undoubted concern. In the school in Devon where one young girl
developed the condition, after returning from Mexico, there was real
fear in the children and parents, and we can understand their
anxiety. The young couple in Scotland who developed this condition
on their return from honeymoon in Mexico spoke about the fear of
dying that was quite strong for a few days when they were first
diagnosed. The problem that may come over the next few months is
whether this virus will mutate and return in the autumn (our time
for flu) in a much more malignant and threatening form. No-one knows
whether that will happen. Certainly that has been a pattern with
some viruses in the past.
It does however raise a very important issue for us. Why do we
fear death so much? Of course, very few people want to die. Most
people value their lives and feel that life itself is very precious.
That is unless you are an unwanted embryo in the womb, or you have a
terminal illness, or you are old, frail and confused. Then your life
is not seen to be quite so precious and some want to get rid of it
as quickly as they can.
But let us come back to the key question. Why do we fear death so
much? Granted we value life, that still does not explain the deep
anxiety and uncertainty that lies just below the surface in human
beings and shows itself at times when death appears more
threatening. Psychologists may talk about an “irrational fear”, and
sociologists and anthropologists speak about “primeval emotions”,
but they have missed a significant issue. There is an inbuilt
awareness in human nature that there is something beyond the grave
and there is strong evidence for the existence of this awareness in
every sort of society. That explains the sentiment in the UK that
surrounds death, with flowers by the roadside making little shrines
and the mystical talk of ‘looking down from the sky’ or ‘being in
the wind’ that so many people resort to when a loved one dies. The
sentimentalism covers the reality - “God has put eternity in our
hearts”.
Some with bravado say there is nothing after death and may even
advocate voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide. But the fact
remains that there is within us all a feeling of something being
beyond death. The Bible clearly explains it - “It is appointed to
men once to die, and after that the judgement.” People want to
reject that idea because they nurse the illusion of being masters of
their own fate, and so God’s authority over them is unacceptable.
But the truth seeps through when thoughts of death are aroused.
It is surely better to face the facts that we are responsible to
God and must one day give account, and that death is not the end of
everything. There is life after death! Easter proves it.
Many people are taking precautions and preparing should swine flu
come their way. How necessary that is at the moment is impossible to
know. But we can be certain that death will come - sooner or later.
That is not being morbid, it is just realism. The issue then is what
precautions and preparations can we make? And here is sheer good
news. Jesus Christ has died and risen again so that we may have
eternal life. There is forgiveness for our sins (it is sin that
brings terror to the grave) and there is a new relationship with God
when we turn to Christ. All that is required is that we are sorry
for our sins, because they offend God and we desire to leave them
(repentance), and that we accept that Jesus has died for our sin and
removed every hindrance there is to our knowing the reality of God
(faith in Christ). It is Jesus who can remove the fear of death. But
He does much more than that. He gives a delight and joy in life - a
passion for true living.
There is a pandemic. It is called sin. And it is blighting the
lives of every man, woman and child in this world. There is an
absolute cure. The death and resurrection of Jesus obtains
forgiveness and new life for all who will receive it. He delivers
from the fear of death and gives the joy of salvation. And
it is free.