You've probably seen death depicted as the grim reaper. Scythe over his shoulder, ragged robe, hooded head, and an empty black face. Take it from someone who knows, this is only one face of death. Sometimes he appears as a cheery, very fit, back packer. Now and then he dons top hat and tails. But nowadays more often than not he wears a nice casual shirt, shorts and sneakers. Death you see doesn't like to stand out in a crowd. He's learnt that blending in with those around is by far the best approach.

I'd like to tell you a story of a time when death often wore a white robe and sandals. It was an important time in death's career because the whisper around was that someone was out to get him. There'd been a few challengers before, but none had really stood a chance. Methuselah put up a great fight but the bottom line was that no human could match Death's power. The rumour Death heard was that this new challenger was different from all the others. This one meant business. He didn't just offer hope. He hadn't come with nice words about life. This one claimed to "be Life" the "resurrection and the life". Death shivered when he heard those words.

Death decided the most sensible thing to do would be to give this latest champion a test. A test would show what he was up against. He set off in the general direction of the trouble and was surprised to find Sickness, Fear and Despair headed in the opposite direction. It shook him up a little when they sheepishly admitted they'd decide to take a break from their work. "What's the use?" they said, "We've tried our best, but this guy's good. We don't stand a chance."

"Come on," said Death, "You don't really mean that. It's not like you to give up so easily. Come back with me and I'll show you just how tough this guy is. I've got it all worked out." They were keen to know what he'd planned. "Don't worry about it. I've got every detail covered," death proclaimed with the confidence that comes with never ever being defeated.

But the truth was that the only thing death had thought through, was that the first confrontation wouldn‘t be a ful on frontal attack. "I'll just rattle his chain a little and see what reaction I get."

By the time they set off the next morning, Death's tacticts were a little clearer. He'd use one of the challenger's friends. One of his followers maybe. What did he call them, disciples or something?

It was a hot day and the road was dusty so after a few hours they'd stopped at a pub in a little village a few kilometres from the centre of Jerusalem. It was called Bethany.

Sickness, Fear and Despair went to relieve themselves. Death enjoyed their company, and he looked forward to using them in the battle to come, but he couldn't help noticing how they seemed to need each other. It was almost as if they were afraid of launching out on their own - "Can't even go to the toilet without holding each other's hands," he chuckled. He bought the first round of drinks and sat down to wait for their return.

He reached for his glass to take the first sip and almost dropped it when he heard someone at the next table say, "‘...life'. That's what my dear friend said, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'" Someone asked the speaker a question, but Death could only hear the horrible answer. "Well yeah, why even worry about death. Life's for living. That's what my new mate said." As the conversation continued Death noted a few names - "Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus seemed to be the name of this life-filled challenger."

They were worrying words indeed, but Death smiled. He wouldn't need to walk any further. And his plan was now complete. He shared it with his friends when they returned.

Sickness would follow Lazarus home. Fear would leave immediately to spend some time with Jesus and his disciples. After a few days Death would then call on Lazarus and leave Despair to finish the work with the sisters.

The plan worked perfectly. Sickness chose one of those new fast working viruses that the doctors didn't have a clue about. Fear returned proudly announcing that the disciples had openly expressed their concern that Jesus would be stoned and all of them killed if they came back anywhere near Jerusalem. Despair didn't say much. He didn't have to. With Jesus too afraid to turn up and the funeral now over, Despair's job with the sisters was child's play.

As each day passed Sickness, Fear and Despair had all grown in confidence. Life seemed to be getting back to normal. On the third day they were ready to claim victory. They came to Death to suggest a celebration party in the Bethany Tavern before returning home. Death too had relaxed. It looked like his challenger wouldn't even turn up. He was no different after all. The only slight worry was how Fear had reported that Jesus didn't really acknowledged Death's presence. Kept calling him Sleep. Fear claimed it was another indication as to his complete success. Like everyone else he's too scared to even use your name. Death hoped so, but worried a little that he was being laughed at. Death hated not being taken seriously. He suggested they play it safe and wait another 24 hours.

Early the very next morning, Despair who'd spent one last night with the sisters, burst in. "He's coming!" It's all he said, but it was enough. Fear ran. Sickness fainted. Death tried to regain control, "Don't give up! Remember, all he's got to work with is four days of despair and a rotting corpse. No one can do anything with that!" But Death and Despair knew that they'd now have to face him alone.

Death tried to encourage his friend, "We don't need them. May I humbly suggest you use your wonderfully simple yet super effective "if only" thoughts. Something like, ‘If only you had been here, Jesus, but now, what's the use.' Meanwhile I'll go straight to the tomb. He'll never be able to get past me!!"

Despair put up a good fight. But Martha's "if only" prompted the amazing response "I am the resurrection and the life. Everyone who believes in me will live, even thought they die". When Martha reacted so confidently "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was come into the world." Despair had no option but to leave. Mary's "if only" at first seemed to succeed. Jesus wept. But Despair quickly recognized the tears as love tears not tears of despair. There was no option. Despair couldn't stand love. He withdrew, "just for a while" he told himself. But deep down he knew that in this Jesus, he'd met his match.

Meanwhile, continually muttering to himself "This can't happen", "No one can beat me. It's not possible. I'll show him sleep" Death waited for the battle inside the tomb. But then it was all over. He hadn't even realised it had begun. Jesus didn't rant and rave, beg or demand, he just thanked God for hearing his prayer. Death would have been shaken to his very soul had he had one. Defeat hurt, but having someone not even acknowledge his presence was something he'd never experienced before, and he definitely didn't like it. Death refused to flee, he knew it wouldn't be long before he'd be able to reclaim Lazarus. He had no doubt of that. But he now knew Jesus would be a whole different casket of bones. Death would need to do some more research and get extra help from somewhere. Death felt he'd lost a little of his sting. This couldn't be allowed to continue. It was clear he'd have to meet this Jesus again. But for the first time of his existence Death experienced the feeling of fear.

© Copyright Rev. K.W. Stiller.