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I just heard the sad news of the passing of the one journalists whose writings I enjoy reading; Communications Consultant Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey. I love reading her articles, and those of Elizabeth Ohene, because of the boldness and dexterity with which they tackle issues that many would avoid talking about. We have lost one of our finest, boldest, refined and heroic journalists!

I write these about a woman I have never met; but exchanged email with once; when she wrote an article entitled, “Not all that glitters is gold“; and I sent her an email in reaction, which she replied in a very nice down-to-earth manner.

I wish I had done more; had one more chance, so I could talk to her; maybe visit her, touch her, hold her hands and pray with her!  I would have been more comforted. As it is , she just disappeared!

Death, especially sudden ones, only come to remind us that the course of this life we value so much, make so much fuss about, and brag about so vociferously, is very uncertain. The only certainty about this life is death; and if that is the only certainty, what are we doing to prepare for this certainty?  

How are we preparing those we would leave behind? And how are we preparing to meet what is ahead?

Jesus had some very useful guidelines on these issues.

READ Mark 12:24-31

 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this:

‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:24-31 NKJV)

The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to test Jesus with a question on the resurrection and the levirate marriages being practiced in those times. (Mark 12:18-23)

Jesus’ answer is what we just read. Very profound!

First, there will not be marriages when the dead rise! Meaning one of the institutions we value so much on this earth, is not even important at the resurrection! There are many more like that!

Second, God is not the God of the dead, but of the living! In a society where we prefer to  spend whooping amounts on the dead, at the expense of the living, this is very instructive.

Third, He said the most important law is,  “Love for God, and love for your neighbor!”

He gave the same answer when an expert in the law also asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25-28)

In summary, to inherit eternal life, we need first love God; then we need extend this love to everyone God created;  and not just our wives, husbands, and others that love us, or treat us right(Luke 6:32-36)! In loving them, we need to also share the truth of eternal life with them.

It is the only way we can be certain in this uncertain life.

MEMORY VERSE

“Love the Lord your God…‘Love your neighbor.“ (Mark 12:30-31)

QUESTIONS

1. How are you preparing yourself, and those you will leave behind, when you depart this earth?

2. Why not give yourself, and the people you leave behind, the certainty of eternal life?

PRAYER TIP

God help us to prepare ourselves, and those we leave behind, for eternal life.

Written by:

BENNY MALM

For:

TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL