Absent From the Body, Present With Christ

This week, my oldest son Stephen (8 yrs.) had to write a scene from a play. He chose to write a play based on a biblical scene. In writing the play, Stephen had a revelation about death. But before I throw in my 2 cents, the scene is short, so here it is:

Nebuchadnezzar: Maybe you didn't hear me? Next time you hear the trumpet sound you will bow down to my statue and honor it!

Abednego: No way, I don't have to listen to you, my GOD is my only god.

Meshach: My GOD can save us from this fire but even if he doesn't, we won't bow down to your statue.

Nebuchadnezzar: Seize them! Make the furnace seven times hotter than normal and throw them in!

(In they go)
Shadrach: Thank you GOD we are not burning!

Abednego: It's not even hot in here!

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego: Who is that? It's the son of GOD!

Jesus: You will be greatly blessed because you had faith in me, honored me, even if it would have cost you your life.

Meshach: We thank you for protecting us, loving us, and for all you do for us.

Shadrach: Will we go to heaven today?

Jesus: No, not yet, I still have work for you here on earth.

Nebuchadnezzar: Did I not send three men to the furnace?

Servant: Yes, Lord.

Nebuchadnezzar: I see four and one is like the son of GOD! Get them out now!

(Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are standing before the king)

Nebuchadnezzar: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, your god is truly GOD, if anyone does not honor him, he will be burned in the furnace.

THE END

As he wrote this scene, Stephen burst into excitement at the realization that if they had died in the fire, they would have been with Christ in heaven. He immediately wanted to go there himself! But my mom pointed out to him, that just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, God still has work for him to be done here on earth. But what Stephen has learned is one of the most beautiful truths of the Christian life; death is not something to be feared, but to be anticipated.

I know that to some of you this will seem rather morbid. But human beings generally have three categories of fear: pain, hardship, and death. For Stephen, and for all who embrace Jesus Christ, death should no longer be a source of fear. I don't want my children to suffer, and I can't even begin to express how comforting and exciting it is to me as a mother that Stephen will have no fear of death. One of the great handicaps of life has been removed from his heart because he realized the truth that Jesus "shared in the same, that through death He might... release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." So I quote on behalf of Stephen, "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" !!!

Of course, Christ offers to remove all fear from us, including the fear of pain and hardship. For as the apostle John says, "perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." So I look forward to watching Stephen and his brothers "realize" these additional truths as they grow in "wisdom and stature." What a privilege it is to be given charge over my young brothers in Christ!

I sometimes worry that I will not be able to teach my sons what they need to know to face the world on their own. The most profound truths cannot be understood by the mind that is not ready to hear them. What an incredible blessing to see evidence that I have underestimated my son and my God! If they leave my house with nothing else, I pray that they will leave with a deep, sustaining relationship with God. A relationship that is independent of me. Blessedly, a relationship that has already begun.

Bible Verses quoted in this blog:
Hebrews 2:14-15
1 Corinthians 15:55
1 John 4:18
John 16:33