Now He’s Gone

I knew of him for many years only because his wife had been part of our church for so long.  He was not a Christian.  We used to pick up his wife regularly on the way for evening church services.  She was such a special lady, battling a difficult physical condition that often left her shaking uncontrollably.  Once in a while we were blessed to pick up her husband as well to attend a special church service or event.  It was an answer to prayer to have both of them in church together.

His wife knew me since I was a kid singing songs in church.  Many times in the week she would call my home and encourage me with sweet messages. She often gave money and art supplies to help my sons in their Christian clubs at their public schools.  She loved to share Christian books with me and found ways to expand the Kingdom of God creatively.  

Her husband was a writer and into movies and Science Fiction.  He had been a faithful husband to his beautiful, godly wife who recently had gone home to be with the Lord during the pandemic.  This couple was special to us and we were special to them.  We were blessed to be there when they celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary.    

But sadly he did not profess faith in Christ.  He rejected Jesus for as long as I knew him although there appeared to be glimmers of hope when we thought he was getting closer to a saving relationship with Jesus.  The heart of his wife was that her husband would be saved.  This was our continual prayer.

After a long time I decided to give him a call last Friday.  He basically conveyed his appreciation as he knows I have wanted him to convert to Christianity.  We have loved him and prayed for him.  Yet he decided to embrace his roots and revert to Judaism. Based on our conversation, he was only interested in the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, but there was no room in his heart for Jesus.

I have always appreciated our ability to maintain a healthy conversation even while disagreeing with each other.  It’s important to keep the lines of communication open.  Yes, we can agree to disagree.  But eternity issues are of utmost importance.  When you care about people, you want to make sure that they have had an opportunity to respond to the Savior before it is too late.

Yesterday, I received a call that he passed away.  Death came like a surprise.  Even though I knew he was sick, he sounded so good on the phone just days ago.  In fact, if the timetable that I have been given is accurate, he fell one or two days after we spoke and passed away a few days later.  My sons and I were very sad to hear of this loss.

The timing of his death struck me.  I wonder if I was the last conversation he had with a believer in Jesus?  Only God knows.  I wonder if he made a last-minute decision to call upon the name of Jesus…perhaps in a moment of desperation?  Did he ever have a midnight conversion like the thief on the cross?  Only God knows.  All I have are memories of times when he clearly had opportunities to say yes to Jesus…in the sanctuary…at a shared meal…on the phone…

But now he’s gone.  

God knows truly where He is, for only God knows what happened in his final moments.  His surprising death has stirred within me a desire to see more people know Jesus before their time comes.  

It’s a scary thought to enter eternity without the Lord.  How many people are dying without Jesus?  

What about you?  Are you wrestling with matters of faith?  Will you come to Jesus today?  Jesus is real.  Jesus is God’s Son.  God became man.  Jesus is God in skin and took on a perfect human nature and perfect human will.  Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  He became sin for us.  Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.  Today, anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved from hell.  Jesus can forgive any sin.  

Now if you think I’m nuts…let’s look at this from a logical standpoint.  If I’m right and you give your life to Jesus in full surrender, when you die you will go to Heaven.  If I’m wrong and you give your life to Jesus, what have you lost?  Nothing.  You have lived a good life.

That’s a pretty sweet gamble.

But I know from the truth of God’s Word that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  The Bible is accurate and true in every way.  No other book has changed the lives of so many people.  No other God is true but the Lord God.  Creation points to God’s amazing power.  Jesus has transformed men and women. Many people have even died willingly for the cause of Christ.   An empty tomb is a witness that Jesus is alive.  1 Corinthians 15:6 shares how Jesus appeared to more than 500 people after his resurrection and most of them were still alive when Paul the Apostle wrote this letter to the church at Corinth.  Clearly that’s a lot of testimony right there!  Jesus is for real.  He will come again! Maybe in our lifetime or not.  But soon, we will see Jesus.  When you do, will you be happy or afraid?  If you aren’t ready for Him, you will be afraid.  But if Christ is your Savior, there is nothing to fear.

I cannot pray for the dead.  Choices that needed to be made have already been made.  But I can pray for the living and it is my deepest prayer that you will receive Jesus today and be saved.  Please don’t miss your opportunity.  Here’s a prayer you can pray even now:

Dear Jesus,

I believe You are the Son of God.  I believe You are Lord and that You died for me.  You rose again on the third day.  Thank You for what You did for me on the cross in paying the full payment for my sins.  I’m so sorry for my sins.  I turn away from them and turn to You Lord Jesus.  I confess my sins to You.  Please forgive me and save me.  I need You.  Please make me Your child and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you just asked Jesus to be your Savior, Heaven is rejoicing.  I hope you can worship with us soon so we can rejoice together!  In the meantime spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Time is running out.

James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”