A Taste of Death

This week I went to visit Tom Aylestock. Tom has been an elder at the Vienna, Virginia Orthodox Presbyterian Church since we first attended some 13 years ago. Now Tom is suffering from the late stages of ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis) is a progressive disease that leads to the death of motor neurons throughout the body. The death of the motor neurons means the brain can no longer communicate with the voluntary muscles of the body. This leads to paralysis and death normally within 3-5 years.

When we first came back to the US, Tom was limping but otherwise pretty normal. Now Tom can no longer speak or eat and is having problems breathing. His daughter and son-in-law who are missionary doctors in Uganda, have flown in in the last week since his health began a fast deterioration. By God’s grace the muscles in his hand still function and he can still use a pen to write. While I visited, he wrote to me that he is looking forward to meeting the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Afterwards, my mind was face-to-face with death. I had only a few days before read an interesting group of verses in the Bible about death.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matthew 16: 26-28)

What caught my attention was the statement about not tasting death until Jesus’ return at judgment day. Jesus is saying that death cannot really be understand until one understands Judgment day. What will that judgment be like? Jesus tells us.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: (Matthew 7:21-28)