The Subject of Death

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Lately, I have received a lot of reports of people I know that have died; relatives, former co-workers, acquaintances, people I listen to by podcast. I am even sad when it is someone I don’t know, but has affected someone I do know. If the one that has passed on is a Christ follower, then I rejoice that they have left this world and are now living eternally in perfect health and everlasting joy. Death news makes me sad to hear – most of the time. To be open and honest, I must admit that there are some that have died that I don’t feel sad about. Those are the ones that had hurt me deeply at some point in my life. That is my burden to work through. I am far from perfect. I thank God that he sees me as if he is looking at his Son, Jesus; the perfect sinless Man. Because of my belief in Jesus Christ, Yeshua; my Savior, God is merciful and views me as perfect and sinless. How amazing is that?

I suppose that is not unusual at this time of my life to hear news of deaths. I am a senior citizen now. Most everyone I know are either my age or older. Therefore, people that have played some kind of a role in my life are going to be reaching the end of their life, as am I someday unless the rapture comes before my death. I am a dispensationalist.

Today’s reflection is a result of a devotion I read on the davidjeremiah.org website as follows:

An old hymn says, “I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.” That song was on the mind of a man visiting the British expositor Martyn Lloyd-Jones who was dying of cancer. The great preacher had become too weak to speak, so he communicated by nodding his head or gesturing. The friend suggested Lloyd-Jones accept medications that would make him more comfortable, but Lloyd-Jones wanted nothing to dull his mind. The friend said he was grieved to see Lloyd-Jones lying there “weary and worn and sad.”

That was too much for Lloyd-Jones. Rousing himself, he mustered his energy and whispered: “Not sad! Not sad!”¹

Death can’t hold us in its grip when we know heaven awaits us. Jesus was speaking not only for Himself but for His followers when He said that if we loved Him, we would be glad that He was going to His Father. We naturally want to hold our loved ones close to us for as long as possible, but the Bible says that going to be with Jesus is “far better” (Philippians 1:23). Even at death’s door, we sorrow not as those who have no hope.

Do not hold me back from the glory.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

1. Philip H. Eveson, Travel With Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Leominster, England, Day One Publications: 2004), 116.

So when the time comes that I am waiting to leave this earth, for the everlasting joy that will become mine; my intent is to not be sad