Traditionally, this is called April Fools’ Day. I don’t know the origin of the idea; even my curious mind has not found sufficient interest in discovering its origins. Frankly, we, as mortals, are quite often fools, and to quote Shakespeare, “What fools these mortals be.” (Midsummer’s Night Dream, Act 3), it would seem to be true of the mortal condition.
And that brings us to this Lenten look at mortality. From just after creation, God punished man with death. Why is it that at funerals and memorial services, we come face to face with our own mortality? Have you ever wondered, in those situations (much more frequent, it seems, at this stage of my life) what people will say at our services? I have.
Does it indeed matter what people remember about us? Well, I think it does. The Bible tells us to “so number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90) And we learn in Psalm 139:16 that God has determined our death date before we are born. So, it is good, sometimes to think about our mortality.
But, far better, as a Christian, I consider these days a temporary time to serve God here and then to spend eternity in praise of our creator. The Bible teaches this truth, and this, indeed, is the wisdom we need to explore while we live this mortal life.
Christ, incarnate among us, lived this life, most surely suffered our temptations and limitations, and died a cruel death to justify our righteousness before His Father, the creator and sustainer of the entire universe, beginning to end. Surely, this is the wisdom we need, the assurance we need, as in Lent, we ponder the wonder of it all, and our complete reliance upon the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation. If you don’t believe me, read the book of John, and think especially upon John 3:16.
MY PSALM 326 MORTALITY
Abba, Father, God of creation, Lover of our souls,
You have known us eternally
And formed us according to Your purpose
To live in this time and place.
Your Psalm 139 tells us
That even as we were being formed in the womb
You knew the time of our death.
Your infinite plan for us.
You even number our hairs
Why then, does mankind long to do as He pleases
When You have created us for Your purposes?
“So teach us to number our days that we may
Get a heart of wisdom.”[1
From the moment of Adam’s sin
Man has feared death.
But through Christ’s resurrection
Your saints look forward to our homecoming time
To spend eternity in Your Presence
Where there will be no more tears
Your word is clear. I am precious in Your sight.
“You have kept count of my tossings;
Put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not recorded in your book?[2]
Then my enemies will turn back
In the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
In the LORD, whose word I praise,
In God I trust; I shall not be afraid
We know You lead us in the valley[3]
Of the shadow of death,
That You shepherd us through this life
And beyond.
What then, is there to fear
And Your word tells us that
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.” [4]
We thank You Lord
For Your grace and mercy
For the comfort You provide
As we face our own death
And suffer the loss of others to death.
We believe Your promises
And thank You for the atoning work
Of Your Son, Jesus
In showing us life to come. Amen.
[1] Psalm 90: 12
[2] Psalm 56: 8
[3] Psalm 23
[4] Psalm 116: 15
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