On the Last Day
God Morning Friends,
Easter is approaching and I began to wonder about the connection between the peace it can bring and the fact that it is a great example of the importance of finishing what we start. Dave Barry humorously puts it this way: “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” But on a more serious note, but still in anticipation of Easter chocolate, the question is if we will finish well. So today we explore one gauge of this in the dying words of some saints and sinners to distinguish the difference it makes to be a Christian On the Last Day.
Scripture: Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
John 11:21-27 (NRSV)
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
Philippians 1:21-23 (NRSV)
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:56-60 (NIV)
Message: This year’s Lenten Soup for the Soul Series is focused on the Beatitudes and yesterday’s message was on
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Some of the Beatitudes have taught us how to enter the Kingdom and others how to express the Kingdom upwardly, inwardly and outwardly. But today’s Beatitude is about how to enjoy the Kingdom. At one point the presenter, Harold Brown, touched on what it is to rest in peace and shared some of the last words of famous people before they died. Though he did not share the seven last words of Christ, I think they were in the minds of those present. They are much like Stephen’s in today scripture. Here are a few more last words gleaned from the internet and though I was not there and trust on the research of others for their accuracy, they do seem to echo the theme that sinners and saints have very different deaths:
David Hume an atheist died in utter despair crying out, “I am in the flames!”
In contrast, Dwight L. Moody said, “I see earth receding; heaven is opening. God is calling me.”
Socrates was a bit fearful in saying that, “All of the wisdom of this world is but a tiny raft upon which we must set sail when we leave this earth. If only there was a firmer foundation upon which to sail, perhaps some divine word.”
Charles Dickens as if in a prayer said, “I commit my soul to the mercy of God, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I exhort my dear children humbly to try and guide themselves by the teaching of the New Testament.”
Andrew Jackson
was hopeful and encouraging in saying, “My dear children, do not grieve for me . . . I am my God’s. I belong to Him. I go but a short time before you, and …I hope and trust to meet you all in heaven.”
Ludwig van Beethoven is credited with saying, “Too bad, too bad! It’s too late!”
Jonathan Edwards guided others in saying, “Trust in God and you shall have nothing to fear.”
Friends the journey of Lent is somber in the reality that it leads to a death on the cross. We too have an appointment we cannot avoid. Death is certain. Judgment is sure. Sin is the cause. Christ is the cure!
Pray our final words are triumphant. Pray our final words help other experience less of the grave and more of the graduation. Pray our final words are remembered fondly by others long after we are gone. Pray our final words remove the sting of death for others. Pray our final words describe our experience of a peace of life with Christ that continues. Pray we all finish this race … this marathon of life and we finish it …well with a purpose that glorifies God. Pray Christ remembers us when we come into His Kingdom. Pray we continually seek to be transformed into the image of Christ even as we offer our final words.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 