06.09.04

Watching the solemn occasion of the death of former President Reagan, the thousands passing by his casket in California, and the mourning of so many has reminded me of another death and funeral. The one I am reminded of was not televised but surely changed the lives of many for eternity.

Then his servants said to him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food." And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." - 2 Samuel 12:21-23.

This was the text used at a funeral I attended one afternoon in October of 1999. I will never forget it. Pastor Gerald Biswell preached the message at his own 18 year old son's funeral. Josh Biswell was returning home from seeing friends when he was in a traffic accident. Pastor Biswell recounted how his son at the age of eight had prayed to receive Christ as his Savior. He told of how on the way to the hospital he had pleaded with God, as did David for his son, to spare his son's life. But as with David the son was taken to be with the Lord.

David knew his baby son was not coming back to be with him. But David knew something else as well that made life bearable. David knew that some day he would go to be with his son. Pastor Biswell knows that too. Josh is in a place so wonderful that it is beyond human description and even if Josh could come back he wouldn't want to. The pastor extended an invitation to those attending to receive Christ as their Savior so that some day they too could be reunited with Josh and their loved ones.

During the invitation many young men came forward to make public their decision to receive Christ. One young man I talked to said, "This has changed my life!" Just looking at his face you could see that it had. Has Jesus ever changed your life?