Dead?

November 15th, 2014| Topic: RaMbLeS | 2

Dead or alive?

Janina Kolkiewicsz, 91, of Poland, spent the best part of a day in a cold storage of a mortuary. She had been declared dead by her family doctor: “I was sure she was dead,” said Dr. Wieslawa Czyz.

Mortuary staff later noticed movement in the body bag.

Ms. Kolkiewicsz is now back home, complaining of feeling cold. They are warming her up with a bowl of soup and two pancakes.

But the poor lady is clueless about her close brush with the grave. “My aunt has no inkling of what happened since she has late-stage dementia,” said niece, Bogumila Kolkiewicz.

In any case, an investigation has been launched.

Then there’s Paul Mutora, of Kenya, who tried suicide by swallowing insecticide. He, too, was pronounced dead. He, too, woke up in the morgue, scaring workers there as he stirred: they took to their heels screaming.

Dr. Joseph Mburu, medical superintendent of the involved hospital, asserted: “The victim was saved before he could be embalmed.” Thankfully!

And this, now, from the US …

Walter Williams, the other day, was declared dead by Holmes County, Mississippi, coroner Dexter Howard. The coroner and a fellow from a local funeral home drove to Williams’ home. Howard checked the “deceased” individual’s pulse: “There was no pulse. He was lifeless,” said Howard, pronouncing Williams dead.

“We got him into the embalming room and we noticed his legs beginning to move, like kicking,” Howard noted. “He also began to do a little breathing.”

A little breathing, indeed!

It might help to know that over 1,500 counties in the US elect coroners, and most such elected coroners don’t need to possess medical degrees. Howard is one of this bunch.

He hadn’t seen anything like this in his twelve years as coroner and ten as deputy coroner. He attributed this resurrection to Williams’ implanted defibrillator jump starting the “dead” man. “It could’ve kicked in, started his heart back,” Howard said. “The bottom line is it’s a miracle.”

Yeah, really!

But family members are rejoicing. Said his daughter, Martha: “So it was not my daddy’s time. I don’t know how much longer he’s going to grace us and bless us with his presence, but hallelujah, we thank God right now!”

There is no question that the certification of death needs appropriately qualified persons to make that determination.

However, we do have an exceedingly good authority who declares all humans to be spiritually dead—dead in sin, separated from God.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 2:1

But, like Ms. Kolkiewicsz and Messrs. Mutora and Williams, resurrection is possible, not just for a few, but for all who believe in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who died and rose again, paying the price for the sin of mankind.

“I am the resurrection and the life;
he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
John 11:25

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
John 14:6

“This is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
John 17:3

This is the goal of Scripture …

… so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31

Life abundant, for now and for eternity. Dead no more!