Machpelah's cave...

(This entry ties in with an earlier one, which has also been the one most viewed on my blog:
The Beloved Country).

“That he may give me the cave of Machpelah...for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.” (Ge 23:9)

I solemnly dedicate this to all of God's emissaries who have died or will die in a land far away from their birthplace because they were convinced that HE had led them there to proclaim the Gospel of HIS SON as foot soldiers in an army of saints who happened to take God's command literally and personally:

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mr 16:15)

Abraham needed a burial place. He owned nothing else, mind you, in the promised land. But he needed a final resting place that he could call his own; a place where Sarah could be laid to rest; a place where there might be some assurance that, when his time came, his remains would end up beside hers.

In his case, at least, it was also symbolic. To no one but Abraham and God - and maybe to a handful of others- was it apparent that a vast portion of land surrounding his newly purchased cave would one day belong to his descendants.

Buying Machpelah's cave was an act of faith.... a statement of faith... a prophecy.

I have read the chapter many times. I am starting to get it now. These days, when I think about what's ahead  (I just turned 63 last month, you know)., it dawns on me: I need to buy a cave.

It is something that I have procrastinated about (procrastination being among the more prominent of my many gifts). But, Linda and I took care of this recently. We are both content.

There is a new funeral home just minutes from our house. The rooms offered for viewing are nicely furnished. Each has a private space with bathroom for immediate family. It includes a small mausoleum and boasts the only ecologically safe crematory in the area. We signed a contract and made the down payment.

I brought this up recently in a Sunday morning message. We would count it a high honor to die in the land that God called us to. So, if that should happen, please: do everything possible to give a clear testimony for Christ with our passing!

• No crucifixes or other religious symbol that would distract from the joyous proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Hymnals and Bibles welcome.
• We would like to think that others could come to Christ as a result of attending our funeral.

There would be an appropriate viewing time. Depending on how long it might take to get here for those who want to come, a time for a memorial/celebration service would be announced. That would take place at our church/home.

Immediately following, the casket(s) would be transported back to the funeral home...to the crematory... urns with our ashes would be turned over to the family a few hours later.

No, we do not have a problem with the idea of cremation.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ec 12:7)

Dust is dust. Whether by decay or by fire, ashes are ashes. Whether buried facing skyward in a pretty cemetery or rolled face down into a mass grave... dust is dust. Whether laid to rest in familiar surroundings or buried beneath the rubble of an earthquake, dust is dust. Whether incinerated in an explosion or eaten by wild animals, dust is dust. Whether buried at sea or burned at the stake... dust is dust.

The story of John Wycliffe comes to mind:

"philosopher, theologian, lay preacher,[1] translator, reformer...an early dissident in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century."

"...an early advocate for translation of the Bible into the common language. He completed his translation...in the year 1382...."

"The Council of Constance declared Wycliffe (on 4 May 1415) a heretic and under the ban of the Church. It was decreed that his books be burned and his remains be exhumed. The exhumation was carried out in 1428 when, at the command of Pope Martin V, his remains were dug up, burned, and the ashes cast into the River Swift..." (All excerpts from:   JOHN WYCLIFFE)

I would hate to be at that post-resurrection press conference, wouldn't you?: "Is John Wycliffe here? Oh, hey, I can barely see you... jejeje. Yes, I know, Adoniram (Judson) has a glorified body and you don't. He had the good sense to die at sea. I had everything set for you, John, but after they burned your bones and scattered your ashes, I couldn't make that resurrection thing work for you. Sorry! I guess you will just have to get used to floating around forever up here like you have been."

Even if re-assembling every last atom of my earthly temple is requisite in order for me to have a glorified body, I think God can handle it.

With all of the versions of the Bible out there, I have yet to see one with an asterisk beside the promise of "raised in incorruption" (1 Cor 15:42) that says: "unless your body was destroyed by fire." What a travesty that would be for untold thousands burned at the stake for the crime of giving a "good confession"  for Jesus Christ!

To all who lived, preached and died in a strange land, to all whose graves are unmarked and their names unknown, to all who were never afforded a grave to put a marker on anyway, to all who have died in Christ's service: I thank you. And I relish the thought of one day being with you in God's presence, in glorified bodies, singing together the praises of the eternal Lamb of God.

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Re 5:13)