a. We ignore its prevalence. In Job 19:26, Job speaks of his own impending death when he says, “After my skin has been thus destroyed.” If we are to speak of and celebrate the Resurrection, we must first confront the reality of death and what it is. Every day the sun rises and sets and we often give no thought to it. Death is just as common and we probably give an equal lack of attention. b. We ignore its finality. Death is the leaving of this present existence. The lungs no longer exchange air; the heart stops beating; the blood stops flowing and congeals; the neurons no longer fire; the hands no longer perform work; the tongue no longer speaks; the body becomes motionless and pale. Death is the separation of the soul from the body. Death is the end of some relationships forever and the pausing of others. Death is the end of all the things that are pursued on this earth, like careers, and hobbies, and even retirement. Death is a journey taken by everyone. Romans 5:12, “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Death is the leveler of all for death comes to the rich and the poor, the influencer and the nobody, the Republican or the Democrat, the Christian or the militant atheist. Death is unavoidable. Death has been decreed by God. In Genesis 3:19, God says, “you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.” And in Hebrews 9:27 we are reminded that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Death may be inevitable but its time is uncertain. It may come after a long illness or in an instant. It may come anywhere; at home; at work; on the road; amidst obedience to God; in the act of sin. Remember the lesson of the rich man who said to himself, “have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” Now that we have examined the reality of death let us find comfort in the reality of the Redeemer.