St. Elmo Church of Christ

Last night I went to a dinner given in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of my college graduation. Along with the laughter and conversation there was also a time of serious reflection. A large panel had been placed on tables in memory of our classmates who have died. As I looked at their names and pictures I saw some whose passing I already knew about, but I also saw others I didn’t know had passed on. One died only a few weeks ago. Altogether I counted fifty-six of my classmates who have gone on. It was sobering to remember the good times and friendship we shared and to realize I would never talk or laugh with them again in this life. But that is how God has designed it. Death is an appointment we all will keep. I’m thankful for the memories of them, and I’m also thankful for the reminder that this life will someday end. God bless the fifty-six, and I look forward to a great Reunion still to come. –JTS

A friend of mine in Arkansas used to say that God has given us two great blessings. One blessing is the happy memories we have of the past, and the other is the fact that we do not know the future. John 18:4 tells us that Jesus knew the future, especially concerning the details of his own death. He knew Judas would betray Him, that Peter would deny Him, that all the disciples would run away when He was arrested, and that His death would be by crucifixion. In beginning a lesson recently on this subject, I asked a lady in the small class if she was planning to die some day. Her answer was, “I die every day.” Good answer. It reminded me of Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 15 where he said, “I die daily.” When we became Christians, did we realize we would face a daily death? Do our lives show that we really die every day? –JTS