If you polled a large swath of people about their least favorite subject to think about and/or discuss, death would rate high on the list. When we do think about it, we are much more comfortable having the deaths be people in far distant places, people who don’t actually have a face for us.
Unfortunately for us and our humanity, we have become able to designate deaths in bombings, babies dying in Gaza, lives lost in floods and fires across the world and nation to tragic situations we read/hear about and then they are largely gone. But occasionally deaths will occur that make us think longer and more deeply. Through television and social media, our world has grown exceedingly small. We see people’s faces, hear their voices, and know their stories so well that we sort of feel like we know them. We have a sense of connection with them.
And then when several of these people die in close-time proximity, death is on our minds and in our conversations, at least for a while.
Hulk Hogan, the World Wrestling Federation legend and 12-time world champion passed away on July 24 at the age of 71. I loved those wrestlers when I was a kid, and my boys were all about the Hulk. It felt a little like we knew him. He was known for his fitness, but he had a disease and recently had neck surgery not long before his death of cardiac arrest.
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary rocker and Black Sabbath frontman, died on July 22 at 76 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Just a few days earlier, he had performed what he said was his final show. He spoke often of death, and according to his son Jack, he had received a Bible just a couple of months before his death and was very much enjoying reading it. He told Jack and others about his faith and belief in Jesus as his Savior.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was loved by millions as he endeared himself through his portrayal of the oldest boy Theo in "The Cosby Show." Warner, grown and a father himself, passed away on July 20 at 53 after drowning in Costa Rica. He had been swimming with his young daughter when a wave pulled them out. When efforts to save him proved futile, he drowned, but rescuers were able to take his daughter to a hospital where she recovered.
Anne Burrell, the celebrity chef and Food Network star, was at the height of her career and popularity when she died at age 54. While many would assume she had an enviable life, the reports say she died from suicide.
Connie Francis, a music icon, passed away from pneumonia complications on July 16 at 87, leaving behind a legacy of love and heartache. She experienced a range of health issues throughout her life, including a pelvic fracture that led to her hospitalization and pneumonia, as well as mental health challenges. She suffered from the effects of sexual assault and the murder of her brother, which led to a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder and subsequent hospitalizations for mental-health treatment. She was also hospitalized for nasal surgery, which caused her to lose her singing voice temporarily.
Her depression was so deep for a while that her autobiography said she attempted suicide once and succumbed to drug addiction for a period. She worked to keep a positive perspective, however, and on July 4 wrote on Facebook from her hospital bed words of encouragement, telling her friends and family that she was doing better.
Death comes in many different ways at different times. In some instances, it is easy to see the tragic nature, like Macolm-Jamal’s death so suddenly and far too young. Others like Connie’s are easy to see coming and not unexpected. But every death is tragic. It’s not what God intended for us. I believe that’s why Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, even though He knew He was going to raise him back to life. Death is an interruption, a breaking, of what God has planned.
But as much of an enemy as death is, Jesus defeated death and the cross and tells us that death is the last enemy that will forever be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26). No one will die again. We have no reason to fear. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will never truly die.” And when we walk THROUGH the valley of the SHADOW of death – it’s only a shadow! We can fear no evil because HE is with us.
So, that thing we don’t want to think or talk about?
It’s OK. Jesus has handled it.