Category: Disciple and Death

Finishing Well Is a Reason to Celebrate

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. Ecclesiastes 7:1 (ESV)

Births are universally celebrated, but we find it vastly more difficult to celebrate a death. Could this be because we fail to see things correctly? Solomon also said, “It is better to finish something than to start it.” (Eccl. 7:8 ETRV) Plenty of people start the Christian life with a bang, but soon fall off the rails. I have witnessed this many times in my fifty-one years of following Christ. Jesus even said this would happen in his parable of the sower. (Luke 8:5-15)

Finishing well is a mark of a faithful person, a sign of God’s keeping grace, and a reason to celebrate.

My father, Pete Beck, Jr., finished his race well, remaining active in ministry until the very end. He remained faithful to the Lord, his wife, his family, and the church, all by the grace of God. He had a love affair with God’s Word all his years as a disciple, especially toward the end when he knew he would soon see his Lord face to face.

Soldiers who have served in combat say that one cannot  know how he or she will do under the strain of the real thing until thrust into it. That is when we find out what we are made of. Some fold while others rise to the occasion. Likewise one must go through what life throws at us in order to know how God’s grace will enable us to handle it. Someone once said that worry is imagining the future without God. That is a terrible waste of the imagination. God always makes the difference. With him as our ever present Keeper, we can survive and even thrive through anything.

I have always been something of a late bloomer. Since my parents have been blessed with such long lives, I am also late to the experience of losing one of them, something many others had to endure much earlier in their lives. As a result, I did not know what it was like to lose someone so close, even though I have watched many others go through it, including my lovely wife. In my case, I can say that so far I have not experienced what I might call deep grief. That may come, but, for now, I feel moments of wistful sadness when I think he is no longer with us. And of course if feel deeply for my mother. She and my father had a true love affair for 71 years. But once we got through that traumatic day of watching him breathe his last, I have not been under any sort of heaviness.

Call me crazy if you like, but I feel a sense of joy. Dad is with Jesus now. He did not have to suffer for any extended amount of time. He did not go through a period of debilitation. He remained active until the end. He did not become a “burden” on my Mom. He died with grace and peace. He finished well and crossed over into eternity. He made it!

Paul wrote:

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8  And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)

When Paul’s demise was fast approaching, he met with some disciples who were already mourning his soon expected departure. Paul mildly rebuked them, saying he was more than ready to give up this life as an act of allegiance to his Lord. (Acts 21:13) In another passage, he remarked that he would rather die and be with Jesus than continue living; but he knew his time had not yet come, and it was more profitable for God’s kingdom for him to remain and serve others. (Philippians 1:21-26)

God gave my father many more years than he ever expected, but eventually his time to depart from this earth arrived. It was finally more profitable for the kingdom of God for him to begin to enjoy face time with his Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. That time is coming for all of us.

Even though death itself is not pretty, God carefully watches over us as we go through it. For us and those we love, it is a time of leaving what is familiar and beloved. For God it is a “precious” thing, the long awaited moment of our experiencing more fully the joys and realities of God and eternity.

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 (NASB)

Jesus could not wait to return to his Father. (John 14:28) He told his disciples that they should be glad for him, but they, like us, saw things from their own perspective rather than God’s. We feel loss and sorrow, but God also wants us to see his side of things.

For God and us who believe, death is a homecoming, a commencement, and a triumph because of what it opens up to us.

Jesus said that his followers would actually never die.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26 (NLT)

We should fill in our own names in place of “Martha” in the last verse. Do we really believe?

The body expires, but our spirits seamlessly transition into God’s manifest presence. Can you imagine the unimpeded joy my father felt as his last breath was exhaled and his strong heart finally stopped beating? Joy inexpressible and full of glory!

Yes, I feel our family’s loss and will greatly miss our Dad, but I cannot mourn for him at this time or maybe ever. He is finally home! One day I expect him to be part of the throng who welcomes me.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
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The Last Three Things My Father Taught Me

My father, Pete Beck, Jr., taught me a lot over my 69 years, through teaching, correction, and example. The last three things he taught me came by example. I hope I will be able to follow in his footsteps in each of these three areas.

 
Live Fearlessly

Dad had weak lungs. Over his lifetime, I believe he had pneumonia three or four times. It seemed that whenever he caught a cold, it would end up in bronchitis. He had been diagnosed with mild COPD. In addition, he suffered from a bone marrow condition that lowered his hemoglobin levels and was 93 years old. He had just suffered a stroke and had survived carotid artery surgery. This combination of co-morbidities might incline some to “hole up” out of fear for the duration of Covid, but he and my Mom refused to live in fear. They did not deliberately expose themselves, but they continued to attend our small group meetings and other gatherings for the last two years and host events in their home occasionally, knowing that by doing so they ran the chance of being exposed. God kept them from that virus for two years until Omicron reared its ugly head. Even then they continued to live just as fearlessly as ever, even though Dad and Mom knew that catching it might kill Dad. Many in the church at large have caved to fear over the last two years, some churches even closing their doors for a while. Not my father.

He lived as he died – fearlessly by faith. This is the first lesson he taught me in his last days on earth.

Have the Courage of Your Convictions

Over the last two years, Dad and Mom thoroughly researched Covid and possible treatments. They decided in advance how they wanted to be treated, which went against the prevailing medical opinion. I personally happened to be in agreement with their viewpoint, but I did not convince them of anything. They independently arrived at their decision. When Dad contracted the virus, he stuck to his convictions, even when his condition deteriorated. I do not believe he ever wavered. This was impressive to me and taught me a great lesson.

King David wrote in the Psalms:

I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3  Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! Psalm 63:2-3 (NLT)

There are some things better than life, one of which is to live by faith and courage. The Bible says that some overcome sickness and death by faith, while others die in faith, never receiving in this life that for which they believed.

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14  Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15  If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16  But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 (NLT)

Faith brings glory to God, whether we get what we ask, live, or die. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Dad died in faith. I heard him testify that he was still trusting in God to heal him even when he was so weak he could hardly lift his head or turn himself in bed. That brought glory to God. When we continue to trust in the goodness of God despite everything going against us, it is a wonderful thing.

The second lesson my father taught me was that holding on to faith and the courage to live by our convictions is better than life itself.

Do Not Be Afraid of Death

At no point in his last days of suffering did I detect that he was afraid or panicking. He endured his sickness with grace, dignity, and without complaint. He must have known he was close to death. I could see it. I wondered how I would do taking care of him. Would I “lose it” if things took a turn for the worse. The answer is “no.” God gave us grace to care for him, just as God gave him grace to endure sickness and eventually to die. When we were called to the hospital to say good-bye, he was incoherent and laboring to breathe, but not looking fearful. When he finally passed, it was so peaceful that it imparted a sense of serenity to the entire process of dying.

The Bible says that Jesus endured death to set all of us free from the fear of it.

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)

Over the years, I have counseled terminal patients to die in a way that brings glory to God. How we live and die is being watched by others.

We learned to live fearlessly and courageously by faith through Dad’s example, and we also learned how to die well by watching his exit. These are some of the greatest things he ever taught me, for which I am extremely grateful.

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The Measure of a Man: The Legacy of My Father

My father, affectionately called Papa Pete Beck, recently died at the amazing age of 93. He experienced a rich and full life, serving God for 51 of those years as a disciple and church leader. He left behind the love of his life and wife for 71 of those years, four sons, fourteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and two great-great grandsons, along with countless friends and partners in the ministry. Many regard him as a kind of legend. For us in the family he was Dad, granddad, or something similar. It is pretty difficult to be a legend among those who see you often and know you well, but he was highly respected and well-loved by his family.

I have been thinking about how to measure his life, not that any human being is truly capable of doing such a thing. What is his legacy? The first thing that comes to mind is his family. Secondly, perhaps, we should consider his many accomplishments.

What I would like to focus on in this short article is the idea that legacy can be measured by what those we mentored or fathered are able to accomplish after we are gone.

Moses did a lot in the forty years after he turned eighty. He confronted the most powerful ruler in the world and witnessed God’s power humble and eventually destroy that man in order to liberate God’s chosen people. He led Israel through the wilderness for forty long years and brought them to the brink of the Promised Land. As great as all that was, the one he appointed to take over after him accomplished even more. Joshua led God’s people to victory over the inhabitants of Canaan and oversaw the distribution of the land to the twelve tribes. Moses’ legacy has to be measured in terms of his own victories and those of his protege. If all Moses had done was bring them to the brink of the promise, he would have been somewhat of a failure.

What we accomplish through our heirs or disciples is just as meaningful, perhaps even more so, than what we personally achieve.

Another fine example of a disciple carrying on the legacy of his father in the faith is the Elijah – Elisha relationship. Elijah accomplished some amazing things during his stint as a major prophet in Israel, but he eventually came to a point when he was ready to call in quits. In a state of unbelief and despondency, God gave him three things to accomplish before his death, one of which was to pass on his ministry to a successor named Elisha. In addition, he was to anoint or appoint new kings over Syria and Israel.

Interestingly, his first step of obedience was to call Elisha to be his disciple. Elisha dropped everything to follow him and remained faithful to the very end of Elijah’s life, at which point he was granted his request to be given a “double portion” of Elijah’s anointing. Elisha was the one who anointed the two kings in Elijah’s stead. In addition, over his lifetime and in one case after his death, Elisha performed exactly twice as many miracles or signs than his mentor. Elijah accomplished more through his successor than he did through his own ministry. Elisha became an important part of the measure of Elijah’s life.

Jesus also accomplished and is accomplishing amazing things through his disciples. Jesus only spent three years in active ministry. He had no biological children who could be thought of as a legacy. Our Lord’s ministry is measured by what he accomplished through his death, resurrection, ascension in the heaven, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and his coming return as the glorious Son of Man to judge the living and the dead and subsequently rule over all creation. That might be enough, but our Lord’s purpose was always to include us. He has given birth to multitudes of disciples through the gospel, all of whom have become part of the family of God. Therefore, part of Jesus’ legacy is his heavenly family, which keeps growing. A third part of his legacy, which is also still going forward, is the ongoing ministry of the church, his disciples, whom he said would do even greater works than he was able to do in his lifetime. (John 14:12)

My father’s legacy will be proved and expanded through the ministry of those he left behind.

Now that he is gone, it is time for us who remain to pick up the baton and run with passion and endurance our leg of the race and eventually to pass that baton on to the next generation. That is the enduring legacy that will honor my father’s memory and bring glory to God.

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Creator, Sustainer, End

The other day I was thinking about someone I have tried to help over the years. I gave this person things of value that I never saw him use. I suppose he sold or gave them away. I thought to myself that I don’t want to give him anything else because he did not appreciate my gift. He “squandered” something valuable to me that I was willing to share. Immediately a thought entered my mind, probably from the Holy Spirit.

God gives all people the most precious thing we know – life, and most of us don’t appreciate it and squander it. We think we will never die. We imagine we are accountable to no one for how we live. We do our own thing with this thing called life, and then it’s over.

The Bible says that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, and the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:13) This means that God gave us life (created us), sustains our lives each moment, and one day will call us to return our lives back to him, stand before him in judgment, and receive from him our final reward and eternal habitation.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (ESV)

Because of sin, death entered God’s fabulous creation. It was the natural / supernatural consequence of disconnecting ourselves from Life’s Source, our Creator / Sustainer.

The dying process weans us away from the glamour of this world. As we age and die, the things that formerly brought joy and meaning to our existence fade. God wants us to become more and more enamored with eternal things. He wants to finally become our main and only focus, as he should be. Death, in this respect, is a blessing. It is a gateway into eternity and manifest presence of God. It is the goal of life to stand before God and enjoy his love and person forevermore!

Because of sin, death became part of the human condition and will be our last experience as physical pre-resurrected beings.

Solomon said that it is better to consider death than go to a party! 

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. 2  It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. 3  Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. 4  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 (ESV)

Most people put off thinking about death and the hereafter as long as possible, but this is actually quite foolish. Eternity looms in front of us. It may get here sooner than we think, and it lasts a long, long forever. My cousin’s husband just died unexpectedly. He was relatively young, apparently in great health, full of life, and expecting to live much longer. But now his appointment with death and the hereafter has been finalized. He is right now in his eternity. No more second chances. No more opportunities to squander. The first part of his existence is complete. Now he will enjoy or endure the eternal consequences.  He was a follower of Christ; so, he is experiencing joy inexpressible right now. But what about us? How will we fare when our appointment comes calling?

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)

God wants us to consider and be thankful for the gift of life. He wants us to be grateful and appreciate his sustaining our lives each day. With each breath we take, we are experiencing God’s grace. And when it is time to turn these lives back in to God, he wants us to do so freely and eagerly, knowing that what lies ahead far surpasses anything we have yet experienced. If we lose our lives, we will gain them!

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)

God wants us to hold onto life with an open hand, not a clenched fist. For us to do this, we must be like Jesus, who at the point of death said: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) I am told that this was part of a children’s prayer said at bedtime each night. How poignant! As a little child, we should entrust our dying and death into God’s hands, our Keeper and Shepherd, our Creator, Sustainer, and Final Destination.

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Prayer when Facing Death

Unless we die suddenly and unexpectedly, this is a prayer we will all need to pray someday. Perhaps you know someone right now who could use encouragement and strength as he or she faces death. Whether this is for you, the reader, or someone you care about, please take these words to heart.

Death is the final enemy, the last struggle, and the threshold into a greater reality. Jesus promised us that, if we believe in him, we will actually never die! Dying is not death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (ESV)

Martha, Lazarus’ sister, responded to Jesus that she believed, but she was only thinking of the distant future, which is what most of us do. We postpone the inevitable as long as we can, missing out on the glorious reality that Jesus is the Resurrection right now! Eternal life is right now and will never end! Physical death ends the body and soul life we have known and loved, but our spirits will seamlessly transition immediately into God’s presence, and one day our bodies will also be resurrected!

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4  And you know the way to where I am going.” 5  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6 (ESV)

Physical death will bring us to the point of our greatest weakness, when we will have to rely 100% on our Savior and his promises. Either he is truly the Lord of life and death, or we are in big trouble. But the Bible clearly teaches us that God is sovereignly and ultimately in charge of our lives while we are breathing oxygen and our physical deaths, as well as our transition into his manifest presence. The problem is that we, in a similar way as Martha above, have doubts lurking in our hearts. We believe, but not as surely and strongly as we should. This is where we need the help of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said that the Spirit lives inside and through us and will never, ever leave or forsake us. Most assuredly he will not bail on us when we are facing and experiencing physical death.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18  “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18 (ESV)

Many people fear being abandoned at death. The popular concept of ghosts is that they are disembodied spirits wandering hopelessly in a kind of tormented limbo-like existence. Jesus made it clear that no such thing will ever happen to us. One can only imagine what “ghosts” really are, but most likely they are demonic spirits posing as ghosts to deceive and enslave gullible humans.

Believers are joined to the Spirit of God by an indissoluble fusion – spirit to spirit.

But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV)

This amazing union with God through the Spirit is a most precious secret of the New Covenant. It is what makes us children of God. It is why we have eternal life. It is the reason we are able to fellowship and communicate with our God. In fact, the Bible tells us that even while we are still living in these physical bodies, we are actually seated right now in the heavens in the spirit with Christ.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

When our bodies die, our spirits will instantly be in heaven, which is where we are right now joined to Christ.

I know this is probably taxing your brain. Don’t try to figure this out. Simply believe. You are right now in heaven in Christ. His Spirit is joined to your spirit. You and I are one with our God. He lives in us and through us, and we in him. This will never change. It is true whether our physical bodies are alive or if they temporarily die. (Don’t forget we will be resurrected!)

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20  In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. John 14:19-20 (ESV)

The question is, do we really believe this? Is it settled in our hearts?

Death is an enemy. It is not part of God’s original design. It brings the first part of our existence as a human being to an end, but it is a conquered enemy that has lost its sting because our Lord rose from the dead and is the Resurrection living inside of us.

We all have the promise that Jesus will personally raise us from the dead.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:39-40 (ESV)

Paul was granted the amazing experience of going to heaven while he was still living in his physical body. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) What he saw there convinced him that death is not to be feared. He wrote that death is actually gain.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:21-23 (ESV)

Paul experienced no ambivalence regarding death. He was eager to pass through the portal of physical death into God’s glorious presence.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7  for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8  Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV)

God wants to work in us a similar desire to pass into the heavenly realms. No, we are not in hurry to leave behind our loved ones and what we know, but we can have a genuine joyful expectation of what lies ahead on the other side of physical death. Jesus certainly lived (and died) that way. He was earnestly yearning to return to his Father and the heavenly glory that he had left behind.

You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. John 14:28 (ESV)

Perhaps our greatest challenge is that we haven’t yet glimpsed what is on the other side. This is where we need help from the Holy Spirit, who is able to give us revelation about the hidden things of God.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV)

The prayer that follows asks the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the glorious realities of eternal life in God’s presence that will continue from now to eternity. Physical death is merely a “bump in the road,” a gateway into glory, the door into an eternity spent with God!

Prayer

Lord, I am facing death and really need your help. Thank you for being patient with me. You know my struggles to truly believe. You struggled yourself in the Garden of Gethsemane, but you maintained your confidence in your heavenly Father and your determination to bring glory to him through life and death. That is what I want, too. Holy Spirit, you are the one called alongside to help me. Thank you that you will never abandon me. You will walk this walk with me and through me. I ask you now to strengthen me in my inner being, in my spirit, with your strength and power. (Ephesians 3:14-19) I ask you to reveal to me personally what I need to know from your word and through opening my spiritual understanding, so that I can gloriously, peacefully, joyfully, and lovingly pass through death into your manifest presence. Into your hands I commit my spirit. You gave me life, have sustained me all my days on earth, and will continue to be my Life and Source for eternity. Jesus, I believe you will be there for me when I take my last breath. You will welcome me into my new heavenly home, introduce me to your Abba, and reveal to me your fabulous glory! Help me to look forward to this as I should. Help me to be an example to all those who know me and observe my life. I want my death to bring glory to your name. I want to show others how to trust you in death; so that, when their time comes, they will be helped by remembering how you helped me. Glorify yourself through my life and through my death. I surrender to your will and care. In life and death I am more than a conqueror through you! Amen.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
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