Why Seek the Living Among the Dead

I cherish the story that Phil told us about his mother.  After Phil’s father passed away, Phil’s mother was asked if she wanted to go to her husband’s gravesite.  She answered with a “No.”  She was asked again followed by, “Are you sure?”  Phil’s mother answered, “If he were there, I’d be there everyday.  But he’s not there.”

I love this story.  It reminds me of when the women came to the tomb where Jesus was buried only to find it empty and two men asking them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)  I hear this question frequently as I read the pages of Scripture.

For instance, remember when Jesus talked about the things we value?  Jesus tells us not to place a lot of stock—a lot of time, resources, and energy on the things that are temporal, but pursue the things that are eternal (Matthew 6:19-34).  The Proverbs warn us, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12).

I don’t think that Jesus or Scripture is saying that we shouldn’t concern ourselves with the things of the world, but rather esteem the things of God as the highest priority.

 This reminds me of a eulogy that someone gave.   The speaker said, “I don’t know anyone who was on their death bed lamenting that they had spent more time at the office.”

I think Jesus is telling us that when we strive for the things of God, everything will work out in our favor. (Matthew 6:33).