There have been many even within the Christian community that try to justify suicide.
I was reminded of this, after hearing the sad news of Matthew Warren, 27-year old son of Rick Warren, committing suicide due to the so called mental illness.
Since then, there have been many consolations and revived criticisms on Pastor Warren's works.
Last Sunday, during the sermon on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), I thought of one way impossible for anyone to claim any justification for doing suicide.
If one had been so depressed by Christ's death in those days and committed suicide, would one be justified for that? Let's add in a few more hypothetical spices. Let's say that one follower of Christ was being insulted to a deep shame during the crucifixion of Christ, without being clear about the coming resurrection, one decided to end all shame and insult, whether it can be called as ending the shame of the name of our Lord or just the embarrassment of oneself, I do not see much point. Now, after the resurrection, what would one's afterlife spirit feel about the news? Should one rejoice or be in denial? If one rejoices truly, then one must also regret. Regret for committing suicide and thus not able to take part in the glory of Christ before, as others have. Others who may have suffered more shame before yet did not commit suicide.
So it is clear, that there is no reason that can justify suicide. Since Christ, did not commit suicide, we cannot say our shame is greater than that of Christ's. To do that, is pride. To do that, is godlessness. And to have an excuse for suicide for the welfare of others, even Christ, is to claim oneself better than Christ who did not commit suicide for our benefit. Such thing can only be done to scorn at the power of God.