SUICIDE

Suicide in Japan - 15.2/100,000 commit suicide or about 18,000 times per year in Japan. About as many people commit suicide each year as die in traffic accidents. For every successful suicide 8 more try and eventually 1 out of every 4 will make it.

With family suicide thousands of children are murdered before the mother or father take their own life. More and more older people are terminating their own life rather than be a burden to society and continue in ill health. The Bible records seven suicides of which the death of Saul and the hanging of Judas Iscariot are probably the best-known.

Judas was one of the twelve disciples which Jesus chose to be with him in his ministry. (Jn 6:71) Judas was appointed the treasurer of the band of the disciples, but he was dishonest and took some of the money for himself. When Mary of Bethany, in her love for Jesus, broke the alabaster box of precious ointment and anointed him, Judas decried Mary not because he was so concerned about the poor but because he wanted to see the bank account grow so he could steal some of it. This love of money and stealing lead to his demise. (Jn. 7:5,6) Jesus mildly reproved him but the rebuke aroused his resentment and he went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus to them for a price. They agreed with him on 30 pieces of silver, the price for an ordinary slave.

Jesus' betrayal and Judas' actions were prophesied in the Old Testament. Ps 41:9 tells us that, "Even my close friend. whom I trusted, he who my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." Mt. 27:47-50 shows the fulfillment of this prophesy. Let's read it. Furthermore Zech 11:12,13 gives us more detail about Jesus' betrayal and the money. This Matthew shows us that this is fulfilled in Mt. 27:3-10.

Many writers feel that Judas was hoping that Jesus would show his power and that Judas would become a part of the new kingdom here on earth that Jesus would be setting up. Jesus did not come to set up a political kingdom but a spiritual one. He was disappointed when Jesus did not show his power and set up the kingdom. When Judas saw that Jesus was going to be killed, he realized that he had done wrong. Peter also denied Jesus but he later confessed his sin and carried on the work of the God. Not Judas, he went out and hung himself.

Is suicide wrong? The Bible nowhere calls suicide a sin but since murder is condemned and suicide is killing oneself, suicide is considered to be wrong. In the ten commandments, the sixth says, "Thou shalt not murder." It does not matter if it is someone else or your own life, it is wrong. When someone dies in the act of committing a sin there in no chance for forgiveness.

Why would some one want to destroy himself/herself? First of all, for many people it is an attempt to get even. At times it is the last effort to show vengeance. It is particularly effective in this because those remaining have no way to repair the damage they have often caused and thus must live with anguish and guilt for the rest of their lives. One former geisha who killed her two daughters, aged 8 and 7 left a note to her husband that asked: "Do you like bowling and sake more than us?" Perhaps she felt that her husband could not get along without them and cause him to reflect on his selfishness but I believe there are other ways to do this than by suicide.

Some have pointed to the courage that some feel suicide shows. In Japan suicide was used as a means of capital punishment instead of hanging in England or the guillotine in France. Although seppuku, using a knife to cut across the belly and destroy vital organs, is a ritual which demanded complete composure thoughout the act, it is not to be glorified. In many cases it is an act of cowardism and an escape from reality. For many they feel, it is the only way to solve their problems. Many who have enormous debts from gambling or poor business ventures have committed suicide rather than try to work out their problems. They leave the problems for their family or others to try to solve.

Others have family or marriage problems which they cannot work out and so they end everything. With God nothing is too big or too complex to work out. The problem is if people turn to a god it is not the true God. Many believe that no one loves them and many children kill themselves because they are bullied 3r their parents put pressure on them to get into an important university when they do not have the ability.

Much suicide is brought about by satanic influence and suggestion. In some rock music destroying oneself is glorified. Those who-have been Satan worshipmers after they have become Christians have told how they felt Satan telling them that they were to sacrifice themselves to Him by killing themselves.

God has called us to help others. How can we help families who have experienced a suicide or someone who has attempted suicide. First of all I would like to say that an ordinary Christian can help more sometimes than an educated non-christian psychiatrist. We have the Power of God and we can offer hope and strength and purpose for living to those in need.

Out of those that have tried to commit suicide and failed 25% will try again and succeed. Therefore we cannot think that those who did not make it the first try will be OK from now on. Unless they get help and the proper counseling they may commit suicide in the future.

If someone is talking about suicide be willing to talk to the person and take his threat of committing suicide seriously. We need to encourage people oho are depressed and be willing to take time to listen and talk to the person. Allow them to express themselves and make them feel that God loves them and can help them. Encourage them to get help from a minister, counselor, or doctor.

If they are unwilling to get professional help, God wants you to stay with the person and help them out.

In a family where someone has committed suicide there is often a lot of guilt with those who remain. This leads to depression because they blame themselves for what happened in the past. Often they will blame other family members and there is tension and often divorce in many cases where a child has committed suicide. Thus families who have lost a family member though suicide need comforting and help.

I am sure that the disciples wondered about Judas. They could not understand his sudden death. When Jesus died the disciples all scattered because they were afraid that the Jews would kill them also. Thus they were not close to Judas and could not help him. When Peter stood up among the disciples he was trying to find an answer to Judas' death. They understood the prophesies about Jesus' death and felt that from the scriptures that Judas' office should be replaced with someone who had been with Jesus.

Two men were nominated and by drawing lots Matthias was chosen. There are various ways in which God's direction has been sought. This is but one way. Other times men were simply appointed because of their qualifications. The method is not so important as the fact that we pray and ask God's guidance.

In summary what can we learn from this passage today? First of all let us me sensitive to People around us and especially those who are depressed and Facing great difficulties. Let us show the love of God to these people and show them that God has a very special purpose for their life. God wants us to help those who have thought about suicide or have experience suicide in his/her family. Perhaps you know of someone who has talked about suicide as a way to solve problems. We need to show that person that God cares and God can help and give purpose and meaning to life.

Second the apostles felt that leadership was important in the church. We need to perhaps talk more about the leadership of this congregation and as each works together with the gifts that God has given we will see God help many people in this community.

Suicide Evaluation Checklist


Verbal
-Open talk of suicide
-Talk of not being present in the near future
-Questions about suicide
-No longer talking to counselor

Behavioral
-Sever depression (including apathy, insomnia)
-Sudden improvement in mental attitude
-Built, shame, embarrassment 'Feelings of hostility, revenge
-Tension and anxiety
-Poor judgment
-Knowledge of available methods -Clearly thought out plans
-Proposed method available (gun, drugs, etc.)
-Giving away possessions
-Buying or updating insurance .Paving long-standing bills
-Putting personal affairs in order

Descriptive
-Young person who has failed two or three entrance exams
-lovers denied the parental permission to marry
-young widows who are having trouble raising children
-Mate under 30 whose father had many debts
-One or more almost-successful past attempts
-Sudden, first time decisions to kill self

Situational
-Loss of loved person by death, divorce, separation
-Loss of money, prestige, job (including retirement)
-Sickness, serious illness, surgery, accident, loss of limb
-Threat of criminal prosecution
-Change(s) of life situation failure of counseling
-Success, promotion, increased responsibilities

Symptomatic
-Feelings of hopelessness
-Dissatisfaction
-Confused thinking
-Tendency to complain
-Defiant attitude

Drug or drinking problem
-Inability to control impulses

Lack of Helpful Resources
-No sources of support (friends, relatives, etc.)
-Family, friends available but unwilling to help
-No church or community contact, living alone