Loss Of A Loved One

Losing A Loved One

Well, one thing is for sure.  Brother Scott, spirit filled, water baptized, is with his God! For us, it is tragic, it is hard, it is tough.  A father to many, a husband, co-worker, brother and friend to others has passed away. To God though, Brother Scott (His son) has been promoted. Listen, he has been released from the burdens of this place. I know, I wish he was here right now with us – with his strong, laughing, encouraging, ever-giving -his- last- dime- self. But he has been relocated to heaven. He is with his God. He is “absent from this world and present with the Lord”.

The Psalmist said “Precious/costly/expensive in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones”. His passing away is one less person here on earth to share a Christian witness. This is painful, for he is gone. They said to Jesus “Lord, come and see” (John. 11:34). Then “Jesus wept” (John. 11:35). Jesus wept! He burst into tears, like we have or will be doing soon enough after the dust settles and the reality of the matter breaks into our space like the sun after a very dark and cloudy day. But this weeping by Jesus was not because of hopelessness. Death is painful. He suffered the loss of a friend, we a father, husband, brother, grandfather, and so many other roles that he played. He was the patriarch of this family. He kept it together. Brother Scott is not physically here with us anymore. I cannot call him anymore. I cannot hear his stories and words of wisdom. I can’t hang with him by the beach anymore. He can’t make fun of me being away from my wife (his daughter anymore). Yes, this is difficult. And so too was the loss of Jesus’ friend. Lazarus has been dead for three days and he missed the funeral (intentionally).  Jesus’ sorrow was not because His friend was dead, rather because of what the world does to His people. We will cry, bawl, as Jesus did for His friend, but believers do not weep as those who have no hope.

Jesus wept, then moments later, he gathered Himself together (we will too after a while). The Scriptures say, “He was a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He gathered Himself, accessed His divine attributes and took authority of the situation –

1.       Jesus asked, “Where have you laid him?”. In this we see His concern for our plight

2.       Jesus said “Take the stone away” – He is taking action

3.       Jesus then said with a loud voice – “Lazarus, come forth!” – The master of death, hell and the grave exercises His authority over the situation. And he who died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped in a grave cloth. Then Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go!”. This was God taking charge of the elements and displaying his power over all things.  He still has control over this present time as we experience the loss of our beloved father. Again, Jesus already knew what was about to go down, yet He cried – They told Him “Lord, he whom you love is sick”. But He replied, “ This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (A sovereign God who is never surprised by anything the world throws at you, and who is able to use the good and the bad to accomplish His purposes, including death). Listen, those who die in-Christ, will be raised up again in His presence – “We can be confident…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus confronted death and spoke life instead – “Lazarus come forth!”.  Those who die in-Christ, are alive in-Christ!

The real issue here is this: Are we living a life that is pleasing or have we lived a life that is pleasing to God? Know this – “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that we may receive according to the things we have done, good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Brother Scott, you have run the race; you have finished the course. You are to stand on the platform a bit later awaiting your reward (or not) for running the race called life. Each believer should consider their life “an earthly ministry”. How well did we attend to God’s affairs while we remained on the earth? Brother Scott’s sins were already dealt with at the cross. Thank you Jesus!

Listen, “The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of a man. What a man is, survives him. It can never be altered” (Mac. 47). Thank God for Brother Scott’s witness. In this time, when we feel such heartache, pain and loss, Scripture offers us so much comfort, encouragement and hope. Let us remind ourselves that Brother Scott will be among the first to see the magnificent return of Christ. Even in the face of such a difficult situation God offers us hope through Jesus Christ. Trust in Him and in the promises He has given to you through the words of the Bible. For those who do not know Him, give Him your heart and allow Him to ease your pain”. It is understandably difficult. But he is more alive now than ever. We do not understand God’s purposes, but we know He (God) does all things well and we must simply leave it there – seeking instead to be wrapped in His love and wisdom.

Bye Pops! I miss you already. I pray that I will be as faithful as you have been to the very last moment on your hospital bed. I shall strive to live in a way that is pleasing to God, so that I will, we will, see you on the other side.  Couldn’t ask for a better Father-in-law. Love You!

References:

 MacArthur, John. “Twelve Ordinary Men: How The Master Shaped His Disciples For Greatness, And What He Wants To Do With You.”  Nashville, TN: W Publishing, 2002.

Written by Pastor Kevin A. Hall  (05.19.2018).