This weekend, the big news has been about the sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines after 34 years. The airline had been struggling for years due to its business model and target clientele, who had been hurt by the failing economy.
The Trump administration wasted no time putting the blame mainly on Democrats, although they aren’t the party with all of the power in Washington. I am not advocating for a government bailout of another private company, but I want to clarify what the final nail in the coffin was for the budget airline.
Leadership of the airline revealed that the rise in fuel prices due to the Iran war was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The shattered airline is a harsh reminder that we still live in a fallen world:
- Temporary
- Selfish
- Greedy
One of the things President Trump and his followers have failed to learn is that this fallen kingdom is cursed, and everything in it will eventually come to an end one day, and the president cannot save anyone (Genesis 3:17-19, Psalm 102:25-26, 2 Peter 3:10).
They focus on temporary happiness and an earthly greatness that will not last (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Matthew 6:19-21). Wars and extreme weather events aren’t just signs, but symptoms of living in a fallen world. They have forgotten that sin and death corrupted God’s creation because mankind chose and chase earthly greatness instead of God (Genesis 3:5).
I don’t care if you’re a preacher, conservative politician, or a Christian writer; you will face death one day because of the sins of humanity (Romans 5:12).
What Is Death
Like life, death can be both physical and spiritual. Death is defined as “A permanent cessation of all vital functions: the end of life.” Death is a natural part of the lifecycle we all must face, whether it’s ours or that of loved ones.
We’ve all experienced the heartache of death; we’ve lost family, friends, and work acquaintances who we will never see again in this life. That is part of being a finite and sinful being.
Even God’s people aren’t immune to physical death, as long as Jesus tarries. Despite what many conservatives believe, even their flesh is still sinful and temporary. One day, they too will shed their external bodies.
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about death (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Romans 14:8, Hebrews 9:27). The Bible is clear we are all dead in our sins; that is why I am amazed by preachers who pridefully try to politicize sin, they will answer to God for that one day (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13).
Sin makes us feel good as it kills us physically and spiritually (Proverbs 14:12, James 1:14-15). – Death is the consequence of man’s sinful nature, not a political party or nationality (Romans 5:12; 7:5, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about death and why we all experience it.
Māveṯ
The Torah explains how death and sin corrupted God’s perfect creation in the beginning (Genesis 3:1-24). God spoke life and everything good into existence, and mankind still wanted more, even after God warned him (Genesis 2:16-17). Sinful man chose death over God’s goodness and life.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for death is māveṯ, and it can also mean “Die, slay, or deadly,” depending on the context it is used in. It’s hard to believe that death is the result of chasing earthly greatness.
Judaism emphasizes that death isn’t the end-of-life for God’s people, but only one stage of the lifecycle (1 Samuel 2:6, Job 19:25-27, Psalm 49:15, Isaiah 26:19):
- Birth (Brit Milah)
- Education
- Adulthood/Bar Mitzvah
- Bet Talmud
- Mature life
- Death and mourning
- Afterlife
The New Testament tells us that Jesus conquered death and the grave for all who believe (John 5:24, Romans 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Jesus restored the life and relationship that were lost in the garden (John 3:16, Acts 3:21, Romans 5:10-11).]
Our Lord connected the religious leaders of His day to death and their father, the devil (Matthew 27-33, John 8:44). Religion can lead to death just as easily as sin can if we aren’t careful (Matthew 24:9, John 16:2).
Our Rabbi taught His followers that death isn’t the end for God’s people (Matthew 10:28, John 11:25-26; 14:1-3). Just like God the Father, He was a life-giver and often raised the dead (Matthew 9:24-25, Luke 7:14-15; 8:52-55, John 11:43-44).
Amarillo
In other big news this weekend, two teens were tragically killed in another senseless shooting in Amarillo, Texas, following a party. The pro-life MAGA movement still ignores the rise in gun violence among our youth.
Of course, they believe in peace through force, but it is only a temporary peace that often ends with the death of someone. We have witnessed too many lives, especially young people, die because of man’s thirst for power, temporary happiness, and revenge. Each leads to death.
Although God’s people will face death, we should be agents of change by being more like God instead of this power-hungry world:
- Forgiving
- Loving
- Patient
- Humble
That is why Scripture commands God’s people to be different from this bloodthirsty world (Deuteronomy 7:6, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 2:9). God’s people are called to put others first, not kill them (Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3). We are commanded to put our hope into God, Who is our only Savior (Isaiah 37:20, John 3:16, Romans 5:8). We cannot put our faith into lifeless things that cannot save us from māveṯ (Psalm 115:4-7, Habakkuk 2:18-19)!
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