If you know me even a tiny bit, you will probably know that I am afraid of zombies. Ghosts, ghouls, vampires even swamp monsters I can handle. But the idea of zombies terrifies me. It is actually a little funny: I do a lot of things differently because of my fear of zombies. For instance, I specifically chose my loft apartment because it's on the second floor (easier to protect). And I know what to first in the event of a zombie outbreak (block any entrances, fill the bathtub with water as you don't know when the supply will be cut short, and turn off the lights to avoid attracting attention). So, yes, I'm a little ridiculous about it.
I think what really scares me about zombies- besides the idea of being eaten or trapped- is the symbol of the breakdown of society and how the survivors literally canabilize each other to stay alive. Perhaps more horrifying is the idea that we could easily be bitten, and then we would be the zombies: dead but walking, hungry for fellow-human flesh. I imagine the life (I use the word liberally) of a zombie is pretty awful: no consciousness (I hope!), mindless roaming and chowing down on human flesh... pretty gruesome.
Now that you know the depth of my fear, I can write the following sentence knowing that you will understand the full gravity of what I'm saying:
We all are (or once were) zombies.
In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul says the following:
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath."
We were all born into spiritual death. Since the Fall, since we left the Garden because of our own disobedience, we have been spiritually dead. And like the cinema zombie of today, we've walked around endlessly trying to fill our spiritual hunger. We've hurt people because of our need to fill that hole. There is no cure to make us alive again and save us from following this fate.
Until...
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."- Ephesians 2:4&5
God made a way for us by sending His Son to die to save us. For some reason I will never fully grasp, God never gave up on us. He came down to us to live the same life, and then as the perfect sacrifice, He gave us His life, so we wouldn't have to be dead any longer.
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for what you did on the cross. Thank You for showing us a better way to live, not the "empty way of life that is handed down to us by our forefathers", but a New Life. Help us understand the depths of Your grace and love more and more in every aspect of our lives. And, most of all, thank You for never letting go of us, even when we most deserve it.
Amen.
