A Day of Departures

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On the 50th anniversary of JFK, C.S. Lewis, and Aldous Huxley's deaths, we look a Christ's redemptive plan for humanity from a heavenly perspective.

Program Transcript

50 years ago, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas,
Texas. It was a day that shocked the world. Many can still remember exactly
where they were when they heard the news. But did you know that November 22nd also
marks the passing of Aldous Huxley and C.S. Lewis? These three men died within
hours of each other. As we look back at their departure, we are reminded of our
own mortality.

Hebrews tells us that: “Man is destined to die once, and after that the judgment” (Hebrews
9:27).

That can sound a little threatening, since we know that we’ve
all fallen short. But judgment doesn’t necessarily imply condemnation. Earthly
death is a kind of judgment in and of itself. And we know that not all who die
are condemned. I think that judgment in this context indicates a “sorting out”
of the true nature of a person’s being.

In this moment, standing before our judge, some may cling to
life achievements. Clearly Kennedy, Lewis and Huxley made great contributions
to our world. But on that final day, even their temporal works will be stripped
away and we will stand before our Creator as fallen creatures, all equal – presidents,
novelists and humanists – all of us will be subject to death.

But we are not without hope. The Bible tells us that Christ
came into the world to take on our sins. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: “One died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves
but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Jesus’ death was vicarious – meaning that when he, our
Creator died, the entire human race was laid in the grave with him. But the
good news of the gospel is that we were also raised with him, to a great
hope – the hope of not only escaping the penalty of sin but also being
reconciled to God.

With that in mind, judgment doesn’t seem as scary. In Jesus
we have an advocate with the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. He
is the “One who died for all.” And he is the reason that none of us have to “get
what we deserve.” Christ alone is the final basis for our eternal judgment. And
that means we have hope in Jesus – our great High Priest and merciful Judge.

Program Transcript

50 years ago, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas,
Texas. It was a day that shocked the world. Many can still remember exactly
where they were when they heard the news. But did you know that November 22nd also
marks the passing of Aldous Huxley and C.S. Lewis? These three men died within
hours of each other. As we look back at their departure, we are reminded of our
own mortality.

Hebrews tells us that: “Man is destined to die once, and after that the judgment” (Hebrews
9:27).

That can sound a little threatening, since we know that we’ve
all fallen short. But judgment doesn’t necessarily imply condemnation. Earthly
death is a kind of judgment in and of itself. And we know that not all who die
are condemned. I think that judgment in this context indicates a “sorting out”
of the true nature of a person’s being.

In this moment, standing before our judge, some may cling to
life achievements. Clearly Kennedy, Lewis and Huxley made great contributions
to our world. But on that final day, even their temporal works will be stripped
away and we will stand before our Creator as fallen creatures, all equal – presidents,
novelists and humanists – all of us will be subject to death.

But we are not without hope. The Bible tells us that Christ
came into the world to take on our sins. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: “One died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves
but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Jesus’ death was vicarious – meaning that when he, our
Creator died, the entire human race was laid in the grave with him. But the
good news of the gospel is that we were also raised with him, to a great
hope – the hope of not only escaping the penalty of sin but also being
reconciled to God.

With that in mind, judgment doesn’t seem as scary. In Jesus
we have an advocate with the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. He
is the “One who died for all.” And he is the reason that none of us have to “get
what we deserve.” Christ alone is the final basis for our eternal judgment. And
that means we have hope in Jesus – our great High Priest and merciful Judge.

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