A Most Glorious Death

Mike Criswell

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It might seem a bit odd to link the title above to an article meant to lift spirits. But honestly, the world can be a tough place. One of my brothers at my church always ends public prayers by asking for those in “dark places.” I really appreciate that! It touches on all of us from time to time. 

It’s easy to dream of always being at the peak of happiness, but life sometimes throws us into the valley of despair. Over the last three months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at four funerals. While it’s always a joy to share the gospel, it was especially meaningful to share both the gospel and stories about the lives of these four friends who passed away in Christ. It’s important to remember that what truly matters is what happens when someone dies in Christ—it’s the only kind of death that truly leaves a lasting mark. 

In Revelation 14:13, a beautiful verse states, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” The key to understanding this verse lies in the phrase “in the Lord.” The verse further explains that those who die in the Lord find rest from their labor, and their works follow them. 

While writing these thoughts, I asked Google to name some people whose deaths made a lasting impact. There was no shortage of answers. In one list, Julias Caesar topped the charts, followed by Joan of Arc, Alexander the Great, Abraham Lincoln, and a whole host of other historical figures. Being a history buff, I certainly wouldn’t disagree that these folks had a profound impact on the world. 

Tucked away in the same list was the name Jesus of Nazareth. No, it wasn’t at the top of the list, but at least Jesus was given, shall we say, a cameo appearance. But let’s take a closer look at Jesus. 

Have you ever considered that the life and death of Jesus is absolutely the most significant event of human history? Take a look at the calendar app on your phone; like most calendars, it ultimately goes back to the birth of Jesus! And whether we’re talking about Jesus’ birth or death, no one has had more impact on humanity than Jesus. 

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:19-20