Bury, That which is Dead.

Throughout history, mankind has learned to deal with death in many different ways. In fact, one could argue that everyone is familiar with it in some way. Whether we face it directly through someone we were close to or indirectly through a stranger on the news, we all experience emotions tied to death. Humans have specific ways of mourning and coping with grief, though each person handles it differently. Throughout history, cultures have shown us that we bury, burn, and even preserve the dead. Inevitably, we part from the dead—whether we like it or not.

Among ants and a few other insect species, there are also unique ways of handling the dead. Ants, specifically, have a process known as necrophoresis. At first, the term sounds dramatic, but in reality, it is one of nature’s simplest ways of dealing with death. When an ant dies in or near the nest, the others move the body to a location far from their dwelling. At first glance, this is somewhat similar to human behavior in the form of a graveyard—commonly away from our homes, though not always. However, there is a stark difference between us and ants: emotion.

Ants do not mourn their dead; they do not miss them; and they certainly do not visit them after death. Their version of a graveyard is simply a dumping ground—a form of sanitation. When a member of the colony dies in a tunnel, for example, the others do not even register the death until they begin to smell the scent of decay. That scent acts as a chemical signal indicating that decomposition has begun. Unlike humans, who can perceive and comprehend death before we smell it, ants must wait until decay progresses. In our modern society, we remove the body as soon as we recognize it as deceased, even if our emotions compel us to deny what is before our eyes.

Apart from ants’ lack of emotion in dealing with the dead, there are two specific reasons they do this. The first is cleanliness. Remaining clean prevents the spread of disease and keeps the colony healthy. The second reason is predators. Predators are attracted to the scent of death emitted by decaying bodies. By removing the smell to a distant location, the chance of being attacked at the nest is much lower.

Now I would like to move into the heart of this reflection. How does this relate to us? How does it relate to our sin? As the Lord plainly states in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death.” There is a point each of us must eventually come to—a realization that there is death around us. Sin is prevalent in different areas of life, and the size of that sin does not matter. Some may see and recognize sin for what it is; others may not perceive it until they can “smell” it. Yet in all of us, it is there, and it is decaying.

Jesus Christ defeated Death, Hell, and the Grave. He brought them into submission to His will and created a means for a “dumping ground” for our sins. Our flesh has the human characteristic of wanting to cling to that sin, that death. It refuses to let go, to allow us to be clean and free; and even when we do, it tempts us to revisit the graveyard—to revel in memories of times when our souls seemed to have a “fondness” for that sin. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves buried next to the sin that sickened us. If we are not careful, the stench of decay will bring moral corruption to our very doorstep. Ultimately, our flesh knows it is not long-lived in this world.

At times, we must be like the ant—we must simply clean house. We must create a dwelling free from disease, safe from enemies, and, most of all, pleasing for the Lord to inhabit. Our focus must be on the nest—the colony—Jesus Christ. We must look to the life He has given us—the everlasting life purchased for us—where death will no longer matter and its shadow can no longer be cast. God has placed nature before us for more reasons than we could ever list. Let us treat sin as the ants treat death, and let us treat ourselves as the ants treat the colony. In all things, let us glorify God for His unending wisdom.

Gaven F, a grateful believer in Jesus Christ, striving for moral and sexual purity.