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Life and Death: What Does the Terri Schiavo Saga Mean to You?

Nearly two weeks after her feeding tube was removed, Terri Schiavo died Thursday morning, March 31, 2005. People all over the United States and even the world have been following the story for weeks, months, or longer. But there is one glaring question raised by this saga which probably no one has even dared to mention.

Controversy

The discussions and controversies have seemed endless. Some said the government should stop interfering with family matters, and "just let her die in peace." Others have been decrying what they call "judicial activism" and a so-called "culture of death." As weeks went on, many people simply began to be more and more weary of hearing about the legal battles, and wished it would all be done and over with. Perhaps you are one of the many people who thought, "I wouldn't want to live in Terri Schiavo's condition; sometimes death is preferable when your life doesn't seem to be worth living. Why don't they just let her die?"

The glaring, but unspoken, question

In all this controversy, one big, glaring question is still ignored. And yet, it is such an important one! What lies beyond the grave? After all, before deciding that there comes a time when death is a better option than life, shouldn't we know something about death? Let's face it: death is final. Once someone leaves this world, they can never return to tell others what comes after. Is it better than this life? Is it worse? Is there any existence after death at all? In all the controversy surrounding the case of Terri Schiavo, has anyone stopped to consider whether they know enough about death to decide when it is preferable to life?

What comes after?

Everyone will die someday. Think about it. Whether you stay healthy and well until you're ninety years old, or whether you suffer sudden trauma or a heart attack at a younger age, one fact remains true: you will not live forever on this earth. Do you know what you will face after death when your time comes?

Answers

Most people don't like to think about such things. When they do, they find it disturbing or perhaps frightening. If there were no way to get answers, such a reaction would be fitting, but in fact there are answers — in the Bible. God's Word tells us that death is not the end of existence. When a person dies he will either find himself in an eternity of torment and suffering, or in an eternity of bliss and wonder in the presence of God Himself. Why such extreme opposites? God's Word explains that your destiny is completely up to you, and it has nothing to do with whether you consider yourself a good person or not.

Good news

Hear what the Bible says: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2) Furthermore, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." (Romans 3:10-12) So much for any good works we thought we possessed! Everything sounds quite hopeless for mankind, but "while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8) Jesus, the perfect Son of God, never deserved punishment, for He never sinned. Yet, "He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Finally, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) Belief in Christ Jesus and His work on the cross is the only factor in your life that will affect your eternal destiny.

A life worth living

In an age when "quality of life" receives a great deal of emphasis, and many people say they would prefer death over a life of disability, another question arises. What really makes life worth living? On a more personal level, what is your reason for living this life? Without God, life doesn't have meaning beyond what we see around us. Death brings about an end to all that we lived for. What then? The Bible tells us to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Your life will take on a new meaning and purpose you never thought possible. You will come to know the personal God who loves you and gave Himself up for you, and the joy of knowing Him will surpass any temporary satisfaction you gain from achievements in this life. This is a life worth living in the truest sense!

Are you ready to die?

There is one man who died and came back from the dead, never to die again: the Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection proved that what He accomplished on the cross of Calvary was sufficient to pay for the sins of all mankind — including yours — and to give us eternal life with Him! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ — this is what the Bible says — and you will be saved. Saved from the penalty of sin. Saved from an eternity of torment and separation from God. Believe, and you can know for sure that you will be in the glorious presence of God when you leave this life. If you don't believe, death will bring the end of your opportunity to trust in what God has provided and promised through Jesus Christ. There is no second chance beyond death. "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) If you die before you have put your trust in Him, judgment and an eternity of torment will be your final destiny. The choice is yours. Death is unavoidable — are you ready for it?