Articles
Death On Everest
Every so often we hear the news report, as we did this week, that more climbers have been lost on Everest (three died Sunday, two still missing). Everest, of course, is the world’s highest peak; reaching the summit and safely descending is a daunting, dangerous undertaking. Great expense, arduous climbing, low oxygen, freezing temperatures and unpredictable storms all confront those who would scale the top of the world.
And for what? Why risk your life for something that hundreds of people have already done? Of course, one often hears climber’s mantra such as “because it’s there” or “the journey is about conquering one’s inner self,” or some such rationalization. But really, is a moment of fairly obscure glory or personal achievement worth risking your life?
Clearly, there are things worth risking your life for. Risk in the service of others, taken by firemen or police officers, is noble. The risk of bringing a child into the world is admirable. But the highest purpose that risks potential mortal danger is courageously upholding the truth of God.
It is not uncommon for soldiers to be sent on missions that are so dangerous that they will not likely return. So it was with the apostles, and so far as we know all except John suffered a martyr’s death. Paul speaks of such risk inII Corinthians: “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you” (4:11-12). But their deaths were put in perspective by the reward promised them for their sacrifice: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (II Tim 4:8).
The men who died last weekend on Everest reached the summit, then died in a storm before they could descend. Was a few minutes on Everest worth the loss of their lives? And though none of us might ever undertake such a risky excursion, we do need to ask ourselves: “Is Christ and His truth worth the risk of losing (my job, my friends, my comforts, my liberties, etc.)?” Worldly men risk their lives for far less.
