Made to Live (not MAID to die)

by Robert Mohns

In the opening chapters of Genesis, God formed Adam out of the dust of earth and breathed into him the breath of life. Taking from Adam’s side a rib, God formed Adam’s bride, Eve. No other part of God’s creation was formed by God’s own hands, no other creature received the Creator’s breath of life. God gave to them the wonderful words of life: “Be fruitful and multiply and rule the earth” (Genesis 1:28). 

Through the still small voice of the Lord’s handmaiden, Eve, human expression was first given to that profound mystery of the creation of human life. It happened at the birthing of the first human being, Cain: “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.”

I do not know whether I spoke those exact words when my two sons were born, but it was with a sense of awe and gratitude that my wife and I received the gift of new life which the Lord had given us. I am sure many parents have had that moment when they first held their newborn baby, echoing in body and soul the word of Eve: “I have given birth to a new son or daughter with the help of the Lord.” 

From conception, human beings are given the gift of life by God. The Psalmist declares: “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14). 

You, dear saint, are created by God to live. It was for this purpose that our Lord came into the world: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). All Scripture has been delivered to you for this very purpose. The Apostle John wrote “these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). With both a warning and admonition, the Lord spurs you on, saying: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).  

You were made to live. Period. Full stop. Of this, we should have no doubt.

Friend, you were not MAID to die. You were made to live. But if and when Satan tempts you in this way, you can respond: “Yes. I know that I shall die. But what of it? My Saviour died my death. He was buried in my grave. And He was raised from the dead so that I have life now and life forever. For the life I have is not my own, but I now live in Christ, and the living Christ now lives in me, and I shall never die.”

However, through doubt Satan tempted our first parents, and they did eat of that forbidden tree which led to death. Every Ash Wednesday, we hear that word spoken to us and drawn upon our foreheads: “Dust you are and to dust you shall return.” From conception forward, all of us know the pain and suffering of our great enemy, death.

Scripture speaks to us frankly of this reality, saying, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56). It was for this reason that Christ came; “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). 

You, dear saint, were made for life—and not even the last and greatest enemy, death, can keep you in the grave. 

Satan continues to use doubt to tempt Christians away from the gift of life. Every year, people increasingly turn to medical assistance in dying (MAID). Data published by Vivre dans Dignity on March 3, 2025, reports that in Quebec in 2022, MAID made up 6.2 percent of all deaths. For those facing common forms of cancer, the number ranged from 13.8 to 17.2 percent. For those facing neurological or neurodegenerative diseases, the rate varied from 24.5 to 41.9 percent. What is of growing concern is the increasing number of our aged population choosing MAID because they fear decline in their ability to care for themselves. 

Friend, you were not MAID to die. You were made to live. But if and when Satan tempts you in this way, you can respond: “Yes. I know that I shall die. But what of it? My Saviour died my death. He was buried in my grave. And He was raised from the dead so that I have life now and life forever. For the life I have is not my own, but I now live in Christ, and the living Christ now lives in me, and I shall never die.” 

Lent and Holy Week provide us with plenty of opportunities to cling with dusty hands to the cross of our Lord, and to walk with bruised soles the way to death’s bloody death and the joyous proclamation of the empty tomb. It provides us with opportunities to breathe in God’s Holy Word and partake of the medicine of immortality, the Holy Supper. Here you will find a cure for your tired body and soul, and here you will find a sure defense against Satan’s temptations. 

The Apostle Paul encourages Christians facing temptation from Satan with these words: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved” (Philippians 3:17–4:1). 

God’s gift of abundant life is yours, dear brothers and sisters in Christ! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

—————

Rev. Robert Mohns is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s West Regional Pastor.

Print this article