This note is for the consideration of those who are disciples of Jesus.
On Friday, the 29th of November 2024, MPs in the UK voted 330 to 275 in favour of a bill to legalize assisted dying. For me, this decision evokes a deep sense of sadness, even grief.
Of the many reasons why I feel this grief, I’d like to share one from a discipleship perspective:
Psalm 56 was written by David when he was facing the inevitable—death, though not through sickness. While enduring such helpless circumstances, potentially staring death in the face, he penned these lion-hearted words:
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? – Psalm 56:4
We are not those who bow in defeat to what flesh can do to us. We are those who raise our fists in defiance, with these words on our lips: “What can flesh do to me?”
But what if we find ourselves in a situation where death is imminent, and we don’t have the answers? What do we do then?
We praise: “In God, whose word I praise.”
We trust: “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid.”
We never assist the flesh to finish us off: “What can flesh do to me?”
This blog reflects my thoughts on the recent vote in favor of the bill for assisted dying, viewed purely from a biblical discipleship perspective. This does not mean that the practical and medical considerations surrounding this issue are invalid or unimportant. Rather, the purpose of this post is to explore the spiritual and scriptural implications for followers of Jesus, as they pertain to our faith and discipleship journey.
One can understand the suffering we humans go through at a time of illness and despair when their is no hope. But having Jesus is hope in abundance and having faith and trusting God through it all, is always a better way to understand his love through it all and yes, that its just our flesh. Thank you for sharing this scripture. *What can flesh do to me.
It even helps me at a time such as this. The bill passed, I don't really want to comment on, but fixing my eyes on Jesus and from a disciple point of view... *What can flesh do to me! AGREED!