Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/95

Contributor - R.A. Hartmans

Title - Promise Of Life

Topic -

(John 20:31)

ON Remembrance Day we commemorate the end of World War I, as well as the cessation of the many other wars in which our country has been involved. We also pay our respect to those who have given their lives in obtaining freedom for us. Furthermore, this year we also have the privilege of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II which brought liberation from German and Japanese occupation. Most important to me, Remembrance Day is another reminder of the true freedom and life which has been offered to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me explain. Many of you who read this article experienced the liberation in the Netherlands around May 5,1945. At that time, I and some other two hundred thousand men, women and children were still suffering in Japanese concentration camps in the former Dutch East Indies, which is now known as Indonesia. For us freedom did not come till August of that year.

Do you still remember the moment when you learned about your liberation? I do! It happened to be a rainy day. There was mud everywhere, outside but also in our primitive accommodations with dirt floors. We were filled with anxiety, for our leaders had been ordered to see the Japanese camp commandant. We wondered what was happening-

It is no exaggeration to say that many of us were afraid. Life in the camp was bad enough. Everyday people young and old died. Everyday we would hear the bell toll as the corpses were carried to the little cemetery on the edge of the jungle. What was going to happen now?

It had become very quiet as we were waiting for the return of our leaders. Then we heard it. Far away people were singing. Gradually the sound of singing was coming closer. Suddenly our leader came racing into our barracks. Full of joy he yelled, 'The war is over! The war is over!"

Immediately we surrounded the man, pushing in on him to hear him better. Someone began to sing the Dutch National Anthem, "Wilhelmus van Nassauen." Many among us made an attempt to sing along. I say, 'attempt," for to sing was almost impossible as the tears came running down our cheeks. And those were not tears of sadness but tears of joy, for the Lord our God had answered our prayers. After being imprisoned for three and one-half years He had granted us freedom once more.

It seems to me that our liberation experience was similar to that of Jesus' disciples who saw the Lord after his resurrection and at other times that he appeared to them after he had risen from the grave. At the same time the joy of the disciples must have been many times greater.

After all, Jesus' resurrection did not only give them joy because their beloved master and teacher had come back to life. No, as it would be understood later, Jesus' resurrection signaled God's victory over the most terrible enemy who has ever existed. You know who that enemy is. It is Satan.

The Lord's resurrection proved victory over evil and death. Jesus' resurrection from the grave proved, as the evangelist John teaches us, "that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name."

This year thousands of women and men have traveled to Holland to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation. Some of them would not have missed this opportunity for anything in the world.

Therefore it is so sad that some of these people, and numerous others, who consider themselves Christians, ignore the resurrection of our Lord and the liberation from the power of Satan. After all, that is what the Church celebrates every Sunday. These people don't think anything of it to skip church on Sunday.

Yet, the celebration of Christ's resurrection is much, much more important than the remembrance of the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation from German and Japanese oppression. After all, the Risen Christ offers us life!

Now, what does it mean to "have life in his name?"

First it means that the Lord offers to his followers, to believers, eternal life. The resurrection of our Lord proves that his teachings and his promises will come true. If we truly believe in him, then death will be only a door through which we are allowed to pass in order to enter eternal life. Did not Jesus promise his followers that he would prepare a place for them in his Father's house?

Though the Bible gives few details about the life hereafter with God, we do get the impression that words would fail us to describe its beauty.

Some doubting Thomases have claimed in the past, "I will believe it, when I see it. After all, nobody has returned from death?"

I don't agree with such thinking at all. Did not Jesus return from death? He died and he rose again. Indeed, many people have seen him after his resurrection.

Moreover, numerous people have witnessed to personal experiences which show that death is not the end of our lives. Books have been written about these near death experiences. These people explain that they had died. For some time they were in another place. Then they returned to occupy their old body.

Before you dismiss such stories as simplistic nonsense, remember then that the disciples had a similar reaction when the women returned from the grave with their stories. The Bible tells us that they considered them "idle tales."

Also, the Apostle Paul tells us about such an 'out of the body" experience. In 2 Corinthians 12 he tells us that someone "was caught up to the third heaven." For some time this person was permitted to be in Paradise. Then he returned to this life again.

It all helps to show that for believers death is not the end of life, but, as Jesus promised, a continuation of 'life in his name."

Furthermore, even in this existence believers are allowed to taste the joy of " life in his name." Did not Jesus teach his followers, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly?"

But what is the abundant life? It is a life of following Jesus Christ and serving him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, as well as serving and loving our neighbour. The life of Jesus was an example of the abundant life. In every way he sought to serve God, and his love for us was so great that he was willing to die for us.

From this you will conclude that life in Christ is far from easy. In fact, when we read the Book of Acts or the letters of Paul we learn the opposite. The Christian who lives the abundant life also may know great suffering. James was beheaded. Indeed, it seems that most of the apostles suffered a martyr's death.

Also, these same Scriptures teach us that those Christians at times stumbled and fell in their attempt to follow Jesus Christ. With other words they continued to sin. Scripture does not hesitate to expose their weaknesses whether it was Paul's quarrel with Bartholomew (Acts 15: 39) or Peter's hypocrisy (Galatians 2: 11-13).

No, the abundant life which Christ offers to his followers in the here and now does not guarantee them an easy life without ups and downs. However, it does promise them life with the Lord walking on their side. He assists them when they fall and seek to stand again. He gives them the assurance that they belong to him notwithstanding their weaknesses. He gives them the knowledge of eternal life. That is the life abundant in this life.

Thus, while in prison, and awaiting execution, we hear the Apostle Paul say with conviction, 'I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12b, 13 NIV)

In Jesus Christ we are permitted to experience the life abundant and, in him we are able to accomplish all things.

It is my hope that we all are able to experience life in the here and now. It means that we will be able to handle the good times as well as the evil ones, prosperity as well as difficult conditions, good health as well as sickness and disabilities, and still be able, in all circumstances, to praise God and to be thankful. Just like Jesus sang a hymn after the Last Supper when he knew he was on his way to the cross. (Matthew 26.30)

To have life, the abundant life, means that we continue to fight against all that is evil in our lives. Whether it is a bad habit or bad feelings toward our neighbour... yes, whatever it may be.

In Christ we have been promised the power to conquer, and many of us have experienced that power.

When we experience Christ in our lives we experience the resurrection. It enables us to rejoice and to celebrate and to sing, for we have been set free from fear, from Satan, from the power of evil and from death.

On Remembrance Day this year we have truly reason for joy and thanksgiving. For we remember those who have given their lives for our freedom. We are thankful that we are allowed to live in freedom. Most of all, however, we remember the love of Jesus Christ who has set us free.

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