What Do You See in a Casket?

by Jarrod M. Jacobs

After the loss of our sister Goldie last week, as I looked at her body in the casket (James 2:26), the question that I used in the title came to my mind. All people must face the reality of death. There is not a day that goes by that someone on this earth is not affected by the death of a friend, loved one, or acquaintance. On some occasions, when people die, we may have to comfort and console those grieving at the loss of their loved ones. At other times, we will be the ones enduring grief and loss while friends and family come to comfort us.

Generally, after one has died, there is an opportunity given for the survivors to see that person’s corpse one last time before it is buried in the earth. As people file past and view the body of a loved one that last time, many thoughts flood the mind, no doubt. In light of this, let us ask the question, “What do you see when you look in a casket?” I believe there are many things we ought to see when viewing that body for the final time. When you look into a casket to view that body, you see:

The End of a Journey on Earth

The body in that casket declares that our life is a short journey at its longest! David says, “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalms 90:9-10). Do any of these descriptions suggest that we might live forever? No! We have a temporary stay upon this earth. James said, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Let us appreciate what we see when we look into the casket!

Scripture Fulfilled

We mentioned Psalm 90:9-10 and James 4:14, which declare the temporary nature of this life. In addition to these, remember that the Holy Spirit said, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Appointed means, “to be reserved; fig. to await:--(be) laid up” (Strong’s). Therefore, it is a promise that all will die. It is “reserved” or “laid up” by God that this will happen. The only ones who will not experience physical death are those who are “alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:15). Since we do not know when this will be, the wise choice is to prepare now for death. Hebrews 9:27 is fulfilled daily. This is a fact! Let us be wise as we look into the casket and see the body of a loved one and prepare for eternity.

The End of Decision-Making

Think of all the things we put off until “tomorrow.” Yet, for some, “tomorrow” never comes. Whatever decisions they had to make are forever left undone, and the words they wanted to speak are now left unsaid.

If one has not become a Christian by the time he has died, he can no longer make the choice to turn his life over to God. It is now too late. The Bible teaches that “now is the accepted time” and “now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). The Hebrew writer said, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15). If we are going to decide to leave our lives of sin and live for Christ, we better make this decision now before it is too late! At death, our decision-making days are over!

The End of Earthly Work

Upon looking into the casket, we see the end of opportunities and earthly service. It is the end of teaching others the truth. It is the end of actively being a good example. (We know that Hebrews 11:4 and Revelation 14:13 apply.) A righteous person’s godly deeds have ended at death.

At the same time, if the one who has died has lived wickedly, the wickedness has stopped as well. He will no longer be actively involved in evil deeds, nor will he be saying evil things.

Looking into the casket, we see one who will do nothing more upon this earth. Once our soul slips from our body (James 2:26), this ends our earthly work.

The End of a Family Relationship

Some do not realize the fact that at death, certain relationships end. Both Christ and Paul dealt with this fact. For example, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection (Matthew 22:23), confronted Christ as to who a woman might be married to at the resurrection had she been married and widowed by several men (Matthew 22:24-28). Jesus answers by saying, “In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30).

Paul taught that when a mate dies, the surviving spouse has the right to marry another (Romans 7:1-3). He said, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband” (Romans 7:2). When looking into the casket, we will at times witness the end of an earthly relationship and see a surviving spouse that is no longer bound in marriage to anyone. Marriage is for this earth-life only.

The End of the Ability to Change Our Eternal Destiny

It is only while we live upon this earth that we have the chance to change our eternal destiny. Only in this life can we make the choice to leave Satan and live for God. After death, we will not be able to choose to do what is right, nor will we forsake the wrong.

A prime example of this is in Luke 16:19-31. After the rich man and Lazarus died, the rich man was told there was no way that he could leave the place of torment to be in Paradise with Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:26). After our deaths, all that remains in our future is that day of judgment where “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). Paul taught, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

This is why it is vital that we turn from our sins and become Christians now before it is too late! This life is the only time in which we can follow the Lord’s plan for salvation (Mark 16:16) and live faithfully for Him (Revelation 2:10) so that we can see Heaven in eternity!

Ourselves in a Short Time

“The living know that they shall die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Looking into the casket, we see “the end of all men” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). We see something we need to lay to our heart (Ecclesiastes 7:2). We need to understand that looking into the casket and viewing that corpse indicates where we will all be one day. We should see ourselves in that place in just a little while, for our life is “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). How carefully are we considering our ways?

Conclusion

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Our Lord taught the parable of the rich fool, a man who had provided for himself but was not “rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21). After providing only for his physical needs, God took him from this earth, asking, “Who will own what you have prepared?” (Luke 12:20, NAS). We don’t know what will happen in a day. Nor do we know when the time will come for people to file past our casket for the last time.

Let us get our priorities straight! David asked God to “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). How badly we need to be taught this! Let us put God’s kingdom and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). Let us live faithfully for the Lord all of our life (Revelation 2:10). Let us appreciate the brevity of this life and make the most of every day by being the kind of person God wants us to be. Let us serve Him all the days of our lives so that at the end of this journey on earth, people will not walk by our casket and weep, but take comfort that we sleep “in Jesus” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14).