Interview with an Unborn

Sunday morning's sermon was all about the coming resurrection. In
1 Corinthians 15: 35-48, Paul explains that resurrection is not some distant fantasy. We see a simple form of resurrection every time we bury a seed, allow it to die, and then watch a squash or a tomato or a watermelon grow and ripen. The seed has to die in order to create new life. And when the new life comes, it's larger and more wonderful than the seed was! (Listen to the sermon: "Resurrection & Reality.")

It's a difficult concept not because we are so scientifically oriented, but simply because it's hard to imagine. I tried to imagine an interview a journalist might have with an unborn child, snuggled safely inside the womb:

Reporter: So are you excited about what happens after you leave the womb?
Baby: Leaving? Who's leaving? I'm not going anywhere. Why would I want to leave?

Reporter: But being born is the whole purpose behind your existence! Have you ever thought about how wonderful it will be to walk around and smell the flowers, breathe the fresh air of spring time or enjoy a juicy steak?
Baby: What do you mean 'breathe?' What's a steak? Do you know how flaky you sound right now?

Reporter: Don't you ever want to fall in love and enjoy some romance?
Baby: I have my mommy. What's romance, anyway?

Reporter: Think of all the amazing sights you'll see once you open your eyes!
Baby: What are eyes?

If you could interview an unborn baby, you'd probably find a little person tucked safely away in the womb who has no desire to leave all that instant gratification. Floating safely inside the body of his mom, he would be utterly unable to imagine the joys and freedom of walking on land, riding horseback, dining at a restaurant or seeing the Grand Canyon. All the uncertainty of life after birth would be more terrifying than appealing.

And so it is with life after death. It's hard to imagine exactly how it works, but the Bible says it's the point of our current existence. One day, all these problems and limitations will pass away, and we will enjoy even more freedom and more astonishment in a world unlike anything we can imagine here. We have the Holy Spirit transmitting God's Word into our hearts here, but there we will see the Father face to face. We will worship him in person with no intermediary, no veil of mystery in between.

Granted, it's hard to imagine what you've never experienced. But an unborn baby has the same problem. There is indeed life after birth, even though he can't imagine it. God says there is also life after death. It's hard to believe, but if you've ever eaten a watermelon, you know what I mean.