TGIF Two obituaries, same week. One obit was for a man renowned for Christian service, the other renowned for nothing in particular. The first death notice was followed by innumerable comments affirming the felicity that the deceased was now enjoying in the presence of Christ and resounded with repeated surety that the brother was secure in heaven enjoying the rewards of a life well lived. The second had far fewer comments and nothing heavenly was mentioned other than a murmur about the deceased being in a “better place”. Both obituaries were based on the evidence provided. I had known them both, I preferred the company of the heathen. By the standards of my own theological tribe, the heathen was not in that better place, he was actually in the basting process before roasting in hell forever. He was a “God hater” they would say...though in life he really hated nothing but warm beer and the end of happy hour...and being alone. He was known in life for his largeness of heart and his generosity and his utter inability to find a woman who didn’t take full advantage of both. He was looking for love in all the wrong places and found all the people who would use that to meet their needs, not his. I fell back on the Christians favorite comfort theory in these situations. It goes like this. Perhaps...perhaps...Jesus personally came to this person in his sleep before his heart exploded and offered him salvation and my friend accepted. Yes, that is what happened...of course it did. Then my inner theologian began to chastise me for such fantasy. My friend had heard the Gospel, rejected the truth in a short sighted attempt to find comfort in sin, he died before his time, and now he’s fodder for the fires of hell. Jesus doesn’t just show up like that and save people who wasted their opportunity for grace. Deal with it, lest you lead others astray. On the other hand... “Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” (Mark 1:16–20 ESV)“ As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9 ESV) It appears that Jesus was known at one time for showing up in places you wouldn’t expect, speaking two words, and creating instant disciples. I’ll stick with the possibility that He still does. He showed up in my friends bedroom and said “follow me”. “Where are we going”? “Home”. They left together. Make your own application...
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 17:17:59 +0000
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