11A Worship - The End of Saul

If you could, would you want to see into your future? And if yes, how far into the future? Would you want to see the details of your final day, the day of your death? Would you want to know when … and how?

This morning, we meet Saul, the first king of Israel, on his last day, in his last hours, at his final moment. The day before his death Saul, faced with a massive crisis, was desperate to hear from God. He asked for direction, for a word of hope, but heard nothing. Saul had repeatedly dishonored God. His relationship with God was big on lip service and short on heart service. At this critical point in Saul’s life God did not speak to him, guide him, counsel him, through dreams, visions, advisors, priests, or prophets.

A vast army had crossed into Israel. Saul, outnumbered and terrified, did not know what to do. He sought out a witch (a medium) and had her conjure up the great, dead prophet Samuel. (To explore that unusual story in the life of Saul I encourage you to listen to last Sunday’s wonderful sermon.) Samuel’s message to Saul … you and your sons will die in battle and join me before the sun sets tomorrow. Saul was filled with fear. But, to his credit, Saul still led the men of Israel into battle, a battle he knew he would lose, a battle that would take his life and the life of his sons.

All of us know we will die. Most of us don’t like to think about it. Many of us try to ignore that fact. We try to put off the inevitable as long as we can. That’s understandable … to a point … but not healthy. There are those who obsess about death, surround themselves with darkness, with the morbid and macabre. That’s not healthy either. Our main question this morning is, “How should a follower of Jesus view death, and face their own death”? In the story of Saul’s death there is sorrow, a warning, and great hope.