Gairney Bridge

My wife pointed me to this news story, which is so incredibly strange that it is almost unbelievable (I did check Snopes before posting this). It sounds more like a science fiction story, and it might actually be humorous if it weren’t so tragic.

In Australia, an 81-year-old man downloaded plans from the internet and used them to build a robot that he programmed to kill himself. Seriously. It was all very elaborate and very well planned. Once again, were this not the loss of a human life, it might actually be a funny story.

The taking of a human life — even our own — is not a funny matter. Human beings are created in the image of God, and destroying that image brings dire consequences (Genesis 9:6).  When suicide is reported in Scripture, it is not spoken of in glowing terms (1 Samuel 31:4; Acts 1:16-18). The Westminster Larger Catechism gives this answer for question 136, which asks, “What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?”

 The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge;all excessive passions, distracting cares; immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations; provoking words, oppression, quarreling, striking, wounding, and: Whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.

I cannot think of what must have been weighing upon this poor man to end his life in such a way. Much prayer should be offered up for his grieving family in all this. And may those who despair over the things of this world be like Job and see the wondrous grace of God even in the midst of their despair.