In Victorian times, everyone wanted to talk about death, and no-one wanted to talk about sex. In the modern era, it is precisely the reverse.

Well, that overstates the case a little. After all, death is ever-present in the media - it could hardly be otherwise. But there is little reflection on the gravity and significance of death. Death is an inescapable certainty for each and every human being, yet to spend too much time contemplating death is to be dismissed as morbid, and possibly even unstable.

But we can’t escape death, we can only briefly shut our eyes to it’s horror. I’ve been spared the loss of close ones myself, but church is a place where I’ve been exposed to death. Many brothers and sisters have dealt with bereavement, sometimes for those who were far too young. I’ve been awestruck by their courage and faith.

We recently introduced a new song at church, It is Not Death to Die. It is an old hymn that has been beautifully re-worked by Sovereign Grace -

It is not Death to die,
to leave this weary road,
and join the saints who dwell on high,
who’ve found their home with God.
It is not death to close
the eyes long dimmed by tears,
and wake in joy before your throne,
delivered from our fears.

O Jesus, conquering the grave,
your precious blood has power to save.
Those who trust in you will in your mercy find
that it is not death to die.

It has been very well received by the church, and well sung too. I cannot think of another song that deals so honestly, yet also so hopefully, with the subject of death. I hope a few more of our churches will pick this one up.