In the Middle East a fable is told of a Baghdad merchant who sent his servant to the market­place to run an errand. When the servant had completed his assignment and was about to leave the market­place, he turned a corner and unexpectedly met Lady Death.

The look on her face so frightened him that he left the marketplace and hurried home. He told his master what had happened and requested his fastest horse so that he could get as far from Lady Death as possible­a horse that would take him all the way to Sumera before nightfall.

Later the same afternoon the merchant himself went to the marketplace and met Lady Death. “Why did you startle my servant this morning?” He asked.

“I didn’t intend to startle your servant-it was I who was startled,” replied Lady Death. “I was surprised to see your servant in Baghdad this morning, because I have an appointment with him in Sumera tonight.”

One Minute After You Die, Erwin W. Lutzer, Moody Publishers, copyright © 1997, “used with permission of the publisher.” P. 119-120.