Suicide with Dignity

Dignity. It’s the hot topic right now. Especially for those who want to exit this life on their own terms. It’s all rather confusing. We are supposed to mourn the suicide of Robin Williams but celebrate the suicide of Brittany Maynard. Why? Both ended their lives on their own terms. Why aren’t both of these suicides considered tragedies? We have suicide prevention hotlines on the one hand and doctor-assisted suicide on the other hand. If we really want to empower individuals to die on their own terms, why aren’t we passing out guns, knives, ropes, and cocktail drugs together with “how to” pamphlets? After all, her body... her choice! His body... his choice! That’s the mantra these days.

It’s bad enough that our culture has bought into the lie that suicide is dignified. It’s worse that many who profess to be Christian are doing the same thing. Here are a few examples of individuals in Holy Scripture who died on their own terms:

• Abimelech, rather than having others say that he died at the hands of a woman, died on his own terms—presumably with dignity—by having his armor-bearer thrust a sword through him. [Judges 9:52-54]
• King Saul, rather than dying at the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines who had wounded him, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by falling on his own sword. [1 Samuel 31:1-6]
• Ahithophel, rather than living with the disgrace that his counsel was not followed, set his house in order and died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by hanging himself. [2 Samuel 17:23]
• Zimri, rather than being taken prisoner after he conspired and killed the king, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by burning himself along with the king’s house. [1 Kings 16:18]
• Judas, rather than living with the regret of betraying Jesus of Nazareth to the Jewish leaders for thirty silver coins, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by hanging himself. [Matthew 27:5]

What dignity. What a triumph that these brave men died on their own terms. What courageous examples for us to follow when our backs are up against the wall of discomfort.

Dress suicide up in a prom dress. Cover it in chocolate. Wrap a pink bow around it. Put a cute puppy in its arms. It’s still suicide. And it’s still tragic. So why are we celebrating it?

Let us do what we can as family, friends, and neighbors to care for those who are terminally ill, bring hope to those who are at the end of their rope, and comfort those whose future seems bleak. As Christians we have much to offer. We have a Savior who underwent suffering and death and then rose triumphantly on the Third Day that we would be partakers of His new life. Baptized into His death and resurrection and living from His gracious gifts, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. In life and in death. God, the author of life, will take us home on His timetable. And then there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, no more death. For the former things have passed away. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Palm Branches in Her Hand

Today—Palm Sunday—we celebrated Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He, the King of kings, entered the Holy City on a lowly beast of burden. The crowds took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out:

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” [John 12:13]

Amidst all the Hosannas and palms, the solemn readings and Lenten hymns, the Divine Service and Lord’s Supper, my thought were partially elsewhere. Two months ago today our gracious God called my mother home to Himself. How could I not think of her? Two months. And Palm Sunday to boot. After all, we here on earth weren’t the only ones holding palm branches and rejoicing in Christ’s salvation. So was she. That’s the beauty of our life in Christ. It doesn’t end in death.

Saint John was given a glimpse of what my mother—and all those who fall asleep in Christ—are up to around God’s throne. This is what he saw:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” [Revelation 7:9-10]

Christ is your Savior too. He came to “hosanna” you, to save you from your sins. That’s why He entered Jerusalem. That’s why He allowed Himself to be betrayed, arrested, denied, accused, beaten, crowned with thorns, and crucified. For you!

On this side of death, we are privileged to wave our palm branches to the Lord who comes to us hidden in water, words, bread, and wine, even as we sing His praises. On the other side of death, we are again privileged to wave our palm branches, this time before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, even as we sing His praises.

So, despite the loss I suffered two months ago, it was a joyous day. My mother was gathered around the same Lamb, the same Redeemer, the same Savior we were at Divine Shepherd. And she has palm branches in her hand too. That’s the beauty of our life in Christ. It begins here and now and continues for all eternity. Thanks be to God!