Euthanasia — Why Not?
Euthanasia — Why Not?
The E-word is used regularly again. And the opinions are shifting somewhat if you can believe the newspapers. Is it allowed, or is it not permissible? It seems to become more difficult to choose between yea or nay.
What Are You Talking About?⤒🔗
Once Jesus was asked if it is permissible to send away your wife for various reasons. Again, a typical yes or no question. Is it allowed, or is it not permissible?
It is remarkable that in Jesus’ answer, he rose above the dilemma. He did not let himself be caught in a closed question, but asked: “What did Moses command you” (Mark 10:3)? Then he taught them, how God himself brings a man and his wife together, and that they shall become one. In verse 8 we read: “and the two shall become one flesh”.
And that was the answer. And so, it was not just: “no, it is not permissible”. In that case the answer would have been of a negative nature. While the Lord wants us to look positively at marriage, especially because of the deep meaning of marriage.
I think that such an approach would also fit well with the euthanasia question. Is it allowed or not? Posed that way it is a closed question, while rising above this dilemma, the question may be asked: have you really understood what life is all about?
A Dignified Existence←⤒🔗
If you search deep within yourself for the beginning of your existence, then you will not find it. For that beginning is in God. Our life is his breath. That is why it is impossible to be human (in the true sense of the word) without God. For another source of life does not exist.
That is not only so with a view to the past: how did I get here? No, this also applies to the present. Why do I live? Because God gives me today, at this moment, the breath of life.
An amazing thought by the way. For why is God doing that? God does never act randomly. He always has a purpose for doing things. That I will be heartily connected with him, e.g., finding my joy in him and showing something of him. That he (in whichever way this may be) becomes visible in my existence as the God who is wise and good and filled with love. And by the way, I do not have to become a pastor for that. This applies to all ranks and standings. For this applies to all people. In this lies the value of life, the dignified existence of man.
Being a Temple←⤒🔗
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1 Cor. 6:19). It is a typical Christian salutation to those who have received the Spirit of God. While we do not forget that Christ’s salutation applies to all people. Make them to be my disciples. Each life is meant to praise God.
Also an amazing thought. For since the fall into sin, this temple, which is I, is not so beautiful anymore. Checked out carefully, it is a wreck, for death has entered it. Sooner or later this will result in a complete disintegration. Does the Spirit want to live in this? It’s hard to believe!
Wrong, for exactly this you may indeed believe. The Spirit apparently is not ashamed of anything. Just like Jesus, who also entered anyone’s home. You cannot have sunk so deep, or the Son of God knows to find you. For he went deeper. His hand will always fit underneath, to lift you up and to carry you.
The question is: do you actually see this temple? When you look at that old man plagued with dementia for example. Or that child with spina bifida? Or that boy, laying in a coma since his accident? Do you know what you are talking about? Or do you only see the limitations?
The Core of the Gospel←⤒🔗
Here we touch the heart of the matter.
When God from high heaven saw our misery, he was moved and was merciful. We had thrown his image to pieces; no one could show it anymore. And yet, God so loved the world, that he sent his own Son. The Son, who does not blow out the last flame on the candle and who does not plow under the flattened reed. What can he still do with that? It is nearly dead.
This is how we were in God’s eyes, and even worse than this. The humane part of our existence had been completely lost. But God does not write off humanity. Up until today, his Word goes through the world. This Word contains life, the life of Christ, who has accomplished to be human in all things, according to God’s purpose. Everyone who hears this and believes comes to life and rises from death. To again be fully human; in him.
At the same time, in this same world the concept of humanity receives a new meaning, completely from man, without God. The autonomous man elevates himself to norm and dislikes all things which point to his own dependence. Therefore, others who depend on him, are not safe with him. The vulnerable, the insignificant, the handicapped, and life which has almost faded out is not being supported full of compassion, but is let go.
This goes deep. While the Spirit, which is holy, is not ashamed of any temple, people are pulling up their noses for some. While the Spirit wants to reveal in those damaged lives how deep the forgiving love of God goes, the people who have no interest in forgiveness, see no meaning anymore in those lives.
God gives life, despite the most serious handicap.
People get rid of those lives because they fail to see their own handicap.
Wiser than God?←⤒🔗
A dying person may die, that is clear.
We do not have to pull all the bells and whistles out of the cupboard to try to add hours to our existence here on earth. The value of life is not in its length, but in its content. That also applies, by the way, to when you are healthy.
I refuse to call allowing a dying person to die, euthanasia. It is not even passive euthanasia, to use this obfuscating term. For in such a situation, no one has called for the person to die, not actively, and not passively (what in fact would be just as active).
Euthanasia has to do with the calling for death, where death was not yet present. In time of course it would be, but that applies to us all. If you apply death before its time, one speaks of homicide. And on top of that, if you consider it carefully beforehand, it is called murder.
That sin is (as all sins are) in the first place against God.
If He gives life, who are you then that you take it away?
If He finds it worth it, who are you then to disagree with that?
If He wants to show something of himself in this manner, who are then to close your eyes to that?
“Is it allowed, or is it not allowed?”
Man, have you seen who you have in front of you?
In Trouble God is Near←⤒🔗
This is not meant to quickly deal with various extremely difficult situations at the border of life and death. That would be impossible. On the contrary, let us pray from the heart for those who must deal with this, for wisdom from God.
But this is meant to be a starting point, as a holy principle. We do not call for death, we also do not expect any help from there.
But what about suffering and the unreachability of patients in a coma and demented seniors?
If I must say something about that, I first become quiet. For I cannot comprehend it.
After that I entrust to God, that he knows what he is doing. He controls this life in this way, does he not?
And especially I count on it that the Chief Shepherd and his pastoral work get further than I do. My words can perhaps not get through anymore, and I am completely unable to fathom what is happening behind those absent eyes. And yet, truth for him or her is:
LORD, my inmost thoughts, you know them all Ps. 139, Book of Praise.
A tremendous comfort also for family and friends.
You are before me and behind, you have laid your hand on me.
God is mighty to have us experience this, under all circumstances.
If I to heaven’s height ascend, then I shall there before you stand.
If I into the depths descended, you would not leave me unattended.
If I am not conscious anymore, God, you are there.
Then darkness is not dark to you; it will not hide me from your view.
You see me continually; with you it never becomes dark.
Is it allowed, or is it not allowed?
Entrust your loved ones to God, to his love, his light, his leading, his time.
Add new comment