Photo by Nora Jane Long
The news of death often brings sorrow to our hearts. It is even more painful when it involves a loved one or a dear friend. When death is sudden and unexpected, it adds to the grief and pain, not only for the bereaved family but also for friends. Attending funerals is a sobering reminder of our mortality. Here are some reflections on death.
It has been said that two things in life are inevitable: taxes and death. Our human bodies grow old and frail, and eventually, we die—whether from old age, severe illness, or accidents. Our time on earth has an expiration date. The Bible reminds us: "You[God] have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer." — Job 14:5, NIV
Death is no respecter of age, persons, or social status. The young and the old, the rich and the poor, the wise and the foolish—all return to the dust from which they came (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The psalmist writes: "For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others." — Psalm 49:10, NLT
Even though we know death is inevitable, we are often unprepared for it. Many live as though they have many years ahead, yet we are frequently shocked when someone passes unexpectedly. James warns us not to be presumptuous about tomorrow: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." — James 4:14, NIV
For the Christian, death is not the end—it is a transition from this life to eternity with God. It marks the end of pain and suffering and the beginning of everlasting joy in His presence. Like Christ, whose tomb was empty, we too have the hope of resurrection: "But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave." — Psalm 49:15, NLT
For our pre-believing friends, death ushers them into a Christ-less eternity, away from the presence of their Creator. The psalmist describes the grave as their eternal home because they placed their trust in themselves, wealth and status rather than in God: "The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves." — Psalm 49:11, NLT
We are destined to die—it is a sobering reality. The moment we enter this world, the countdown begins. But the real question is how we choose to live between birth and death.
Easter reminds us of the victory we have over death and the life we are called to live.
Blessed Easter,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
死亡的消息往往叫人心有戚戚；若涉及亲友，徒增伤悲。突发的死讯更令家人和朋友哀恸不已。我们参加丧礼时就被提醒人都难免一死。这里容我分享对于死亡的思考一二。
俗话说人生总有两件事：一是纳税、二是纳命。人过壮年逐渐衰老，至终难免一死，有人岁数满了、有人病重、或者出意外。我们在世的日子都有定数。圣经说：“人的日子既然被限定，他的月数亦在乎祢，祢也定下他的界限，使他不能越过”(约伯记14:5，新译本，下同)。
死亡仿佛不分年龄、身份或地位：年轻或年长、富有或贫乏、智慧者或愚昧人—众人都归于尘土(传道书12:7)。圣经诗篇有言：“祂看见智慧人死去，愚昧人和愚顽人一同灭亡，把他们的财产留给别人”(诗篇49:10)。
人人皆知死亡，但我们一再因死亡临到而措手不及。许多人以为自己还有大把日子；一旦获知某某人已经离世，却是愕然。雅各警惕我们不要为明日自夸，圣经说：“其实明天怎样，你们并不知道。你们的生命是甚么呢？你们本来是过眼云烟，转瞬之间就消逝了”(雅各书4:14)。
对基督徒而言，肉体死亡不是结束，而是一个进入永生的过程 — 了结今生的痛苦艰难，归入 神与人同在的永远福乐。正如基督留下空坟墓，我们也寄望复活。圣经说：“但 神必救赎我的灵魂脱离阴间的权势，因为祂必把我接去”(诗篇49:15)。
对于尚未信主的朋友来说，死亡将他们带入没有基督的永恒里，并与创造者完全隔绝。诗人描述那些不信靠 神、只信靠自己并今生的财富和地位的，他们的归处是（必朽坏的）坟墓。圣经说：“尽管他们用自己的名字来为产业命名，坟墓却是他们永远的归宿，世代的住处”(诗篇49:11，当代译本)。
我们终将一死 — 这是值得思考的命题。从出生那一刻，倒数就开始了。在生与死期间，我们能选择的是该活出怎样的人生：
复活节提醒我们基督已经复活、胜过死亡，并且我们这些蒙基督救赎的人该当怎样活着。圣经说：
祝您复活节蒙福，
蓝国贤
会务导师
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