When we stopped we would all cry out “Ashes, ashes, we all fall down”. Then we would all fall down laughing. I never did know the meaning of the song. I just thought it was a fun game.

I recently made a fascinating discovery as I read about the London dungeon. Inside is a wax family of plague victims who died during the plague of 1665. Thousands of children died with the plague. The symptoms of the contagion were swelling (buboes: hence bubonic) in the groin that made them feel as though they had posies in their pockets. Their fevered faces were red with temperature. The children, like their parents, knew there was no cure for the Bubonic Plague. When they got it – they would die! The bishops told them the only chance they had of beating the plague was to be positive in their sickness. After all the Bible says, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). If they worried they had no chance, but if they could laugh and dance, maybe they could beat it. So the children danced and sang, “Ring a ring of roses (consider their flushed and fevered faces), a pocket full of posies (consider the swelling in their groins), ashes to ashes we all fall down.”

It’s not the song that intrigues me as much as their viewing their end in such a positive manner. In like-manner consider how Jesus viewed his end on earth. He predicted his passion and death on the cross to his disciples. Jesus knew that the only cure for the plague of sin and death was his substitutionary sacrifice. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone; but if it dies, it bringeth forth much more fruit. . . Now my soul troubled and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour. . . And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me” (John 12:20-48).

When Jesus told his disciples of his imminent suffering and death, the disciples were filled with dread and overwhelmed with fear. “The Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, beat him with their whips, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again” (Mark 10:32-34).

Jesus faced the cross in a positive, purposeful manner. How can we face death and the problems of life with a positive purposeful attitude? This is much more than just a hopeful “Ring a Ring of Roses”.

First – PROPHECY in the scriptures were fulfilled by Jesus. Christ’s birth, suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection were all foretold in scripture. (See Psalm 22; Isaiah 53 as examples.) Jesus foretold his death and resurrection on numerous occasions. Fulfilled prophecy is proof of the deity of Christ. Jesus was not just a good Rabbi, he is who he claimed to be, the Son of God. No one took Jesus’ life, he laid it down willingly. That shows how much God loves us. (See Romans 5:8.) You can put your faith in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God.

Second – PATIENT WAITING will enable you to face death and life’s problems with “blessed assurance”. As long as Christ delays his coming, we will all die someday. But with the apostle Paul we can say with faith, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” The disciples were devastated when Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb. “It was Friday but Sunday was coming.” Patient waiting on the Lord will always bring a miracle resurrection. Jesus arose on the third day victorious over death, hell, and the grave. Patiently wait on the Victor over death. He hasn’t forgotten you.

Third – POSITIVE TRUST is necessary. Those children who sang “Ring a Ring of Roses” viewed death positively and joyfully. Paul and Silas did so as they sat in a dungeon in Philippi. At midnight they sang praises to God and God sent an earthquake that brought freedom. (See Acts 16:22-34.)

Fourth – the PROMISE OF HIS PEACE and PRESENCE will give you a positive, purposeful attitude. Jesus told us to believe in Him. He has a place for you. His peace is offered to you. (See John 14.) He promises to be with you always. (See Matthew 28:20.)

Fifth – Jesus’ PAIN was for our healing.” “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. . . But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we were healed!” (Isaiah 53 NLT) His pain was gain for us. Give Him praise and thanks today.