James Meikle - have you ever heard of him?
I certainly had not - and maybe that shows my ignorance, as I discovered that he was a Puritan writer/pastor who lived in the 1700's. I recently read a short piece of his writing on
Challies.com in relation to that topic we all wonder about, but rarely discuss - death.
Although death - both physical and eternal - is to be feared by those who are not 'in Christ', it can still cause 'wondering' and even anxiety in the heart of a Christian.
We know that eternally we are with Christ, but what about how that transpires in our consciousness once our heart stops beating?
Here is the piece I recently read in which this 18th Century Pastor addresses those questions which are present in every generation (and then I want to make a further observation):
Why so much complaint of death? It is true, death is the fruit of sin, for by sin, death came into the world. But it is also true, that death is the finisher of sin to the godly—for by death sin shall be cast out forever. Sin, conveyed to us in our conception, is so interwoven with the human frame, that the tie must be dissolved between the soul and body, before a full and final separation can take place between the soul and sin. Who then, would fear the furnace, which is only to consume the dross, that the gold may come forth without alloy? What candidate for heaven would be averse to lay down mortality—in order to take up immortality; to put off this corruptible body—in order to put on incorruption? to have his body sown in dishonor—in order to be raised in honor and glory; and to have the soul dislodged from his body—that sin might be dislodged from his soul?
Why, then, should I be displeased at such a glorious exchange? To lay down frail flesh, feeble nature, all my lusts and passions, all my occasions and temptations to sin, all my infirmities and imperfections—and to be clothed with perfect beauty and eternal glory—should rather transport than perplex me. Why tremble at the ghastly gloom, that shall beam into a boundless noon; or startle at the dark step that shall usher me into eternal day? If my separation for a few years from my friends, issues in uninterrupted communion with God, is not the change most happy? If my distant views, and dim glances of the land afar off, and the King in his beauty, pass away—that the nearest approaches, most steady views, and brightest visions, may eternally take place—am not I a gainer to the highest degree?
Then, Lord, take away the sting of death, and at your appointed time, through faith, I shall fly into death's arms, not dismayed at his cold embrace—but burning with a heavenly desire to be forever with the Lord—which is far better than all the happiness of crowns and thrones below!
His words are so filled with hope and comfort!
But I want to alert you to something else profoundly instructive in what he says…in relation to the matter of honour.
What seems unique or 'new' in our generation is 'normal' in past generations
There are many who when we mention the matters of honour and shame are concerned that this is a 'new' theology and is in danger of diluting or damaging or even destroying what they believe is the 'true' need of man - that of forgiveness for guilt.
As I continue to research honour and shame, as concepts both in culture and in Scripture, I am amazed at how much we seem to have been a unique generation in that we are the only ones to not have our doctrine and life permeated with honour and shame. The more I read from preachers and writers of history, the more I see honour and shame as 'given' realities that fill the thinking and practice of their sermons and how they frame and explain the Christian life. The last half of the 20th Century seems to have been one where the prominence of honour in both the human psyche and God's Word was 'forgotten' in our gospel understanding.
Just look with me for a moment at what this Pastor Meikle says. He frames the whole experience of death in the context of what he calls the 'glorious exchange' - and that does not mean 'wonderful exchange', though it is that. It means the exchange of glory [honour], which he mentions in the first paragraph as 'body sown in dishonour - in order to be raised in honour and glory'. He makes the challenge that what we leave behind in our earthly death is surpassed by greater things. Honours of 'crowns and thrones below' pale into insignificance in the light of 'eternal glory'.
Heaven's Hope
Here he does not bring the news of a new body as comfort and hope and assurance to his readers, but he brings the promise of new honour and glory (essentially two words describing the one concept), as the means by which his hearers would be encouraged. He highlights that the resurrection is not just about new bodies, but about new glory - new honour - and a higher glory and honour that surpasses all the glories and honour we can spend our lives seeking for on earth. In the 'glory exchange' we let go of what appears to bring happiness on this earth, in order to gain something far greater and to the 'highest degree'.
We often think of victory over death for the Christian as being only a release from our sin-ridden and pain-filled bodies and our sin-infected world of temptation and ruin. But here this Puritan pastor is focusing on the fact that eternal life for the Christian is all about being ushered into a happiness of glory [honour] of the greatest and highest degree more than any honour received or hoped for on earth can ever give.
We may not know exactly what we will feel or experience on the other side of death, but above all, the recognition, acceptance, significance, worth, value, welcome, approval, love and dignity every human being seeks, will be fulfilled and known 'in Christ' to the 'highest degree', and that will be a level of happiness and peace that will not disappoint!
Heaven will be where the hope of true honour is fulfilled and we are bathed in happiness to the highest degree!
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