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An Extraordinary Gathering
Posted by
Bob Fetherlin
,
20 February 2007
·
890 views
My wife Esther and I received last week the very difficult news that her mother has advanced lung cancer. She appeared to be quite healthy when she was with us before Christmas. Now we're told she has about two to six months to live.
As a family we're headed to Pennsylvania this weekend to have some time with her. We're grateful we'll have opportunity to articulate our love and appreciation face-to-face. Instead of awaiting a funeral to express these deep hearted feelings, we want her to hear them now. This will truly be an extraordinary family gathering with children, grandchildren, and even an infant great grandson gathered around her bed.
Mother has decided to not have chemo or radiation therapy. Now in her eightieth year of life, she's ready to go be with Jesus. "The sooner, the better," she says.
As Christ-followers we have tremendous hope in the face of death. We can boldy declare, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? . . . Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57). We can state emphatically, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
The even more extraordinary gathering will be when all who know and love Jesus . . . from every tribe, language, and nation . . . are gathered around the throne worshipping Jesus forever! This will be THE GATHERING of all history. On the basis of Christ's finished work on the cross and his resurrection, and my response to him in repentance and faith, I'll be there. What about you?
As a family we're headed to Pennsylvania this weekend to have some time with her. We're grateful we'll have opportunity to articulate our love and appreciation face-to-face. Instead of awaiting a funeral to express these deep hearted feelings, we want her to hear them now. This will truly be an extraordinary family gathering with children, grandchildren, and even an infant great grandson gathered around her bed.
Mother has decided to not have chemo or radiation therapy. Now in her eightieth year of life, she's ready to go be with Jesus. "The sooner, the better," she says.
As Christ-followers we have tremendous hope in the face of death. We can boldy declare, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? . . . Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57). We can state emphatically, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
The even more extraordinary gathering will be when all who know and love Jesus . . . from every tribe, language, and nation . . . are gathered around the throne worshipping Jesus forever! This will be THE GATHERING of all history. On the basis of Christ's finished work on the cross and his resurrection, and my response to him in repentance and faith, I'll be there. What about you?
