The Death of John Rexine

Like many in our community I was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of John Rexine. It reminded me of how much I hate death. This statement may be shocking to some. Most seem to expect clergy to utter sentimental talk about "acceptance" and treat death as if it somehow were a servant of God and friend of humanity's. The Bible has a more realistic attitude when it calls death "the last enemy." This is not to say that death cannot sometimes come as a friend (as a deliverer from pain and as an usher into the presence of Christ) or be God's servant (all things in the end serve Him including His enemies). But it is to say that death's primary identity is an enemy to God and humanity. Like sin (the two are commonly linked in the Bible), death is ultimately evil because it breaks relationships. I have always liked this slightly modified version of Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Dirge Without Music":

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts into the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind.:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely.
Crowned with lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.
[God is not resigned; I am not resigned]...
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,--They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses.
Elegant and curled is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

The line that was added ("God is not resigned...") is completely appropriate. The resurrection of Christ demonstrates that for all time. In the end he will "reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Cor. 15:25-26,57)

C. David Hess