today is a good day to die

"Today IS a good day to die!" is a phrase used by Worf, a Klingon in the Star Trek universe. That line popped into my mind yesterday. It's one of my favorites because it says alot about this race of aliens. Why do we like Klingons? Well, if you've seen any of the Star Trek episodes or movies, you'll notice the Klingons are unique. They're fierce, warlike and full of honor. I think what appeals to us is the fact that they'll actually die for something, and by doing so, uphold the honor of their family lineage and their race.

Not unlike the Jewish people, the Klingons refer to themselves by their family line, ex: "Worf, son of Mogh". Compare this to 2 Samuel 3:3b: "Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;" (there are many more examples). They're very concerned about their family lineage - as is the Bible concerning Jesus' human ancestry.

Death plays a big part too in the Klingon culture. They are willing to die, placing honor above their individual lives. Well, this got me to thinking... in the Christian life, we are called to die as well:

"So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." - Romans 6:11-14 ESV

"Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." - Heb 11:36-40 ESV