27th August

Jesus answered him: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in the paradise." Luke 23, 43

But man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more. Job 14, 10

A nice departure

Marie B. is 90 years old and is still clear in her head. She has finished her day. In the calm of the kitchen she opens her Bible and desires to listen to God by reading his word. After she puts her glasses on the table and folds her hands to pray. Her family found her in this position the next morning. As the Bible says: "She fell asleep in Jesus."

This is a nice departure for her who for a long time had faithfully served her Saviour. She left this world of fights without wrestling and suffering to enter into the rest and to be with Christ for eternity. A few moments before she listened to his word and prayed; now she tastes the gentleness of his presence.

Everything is peace for her. However, we think of them who do not know Jesus and who die suddenly. What a solemnity to suddenly give up one's projects and affections to enter into the expectation of judgement and all of a sudden to pass from doubt to indifference in regard to this terrifying and inevitable reality: the everlasting absence of the loving God

God's word is exact; there is no room for illusions (read Luke 16, 22 - 24). Either one is taken into Jesus presence or one appears before God's judgement to be judged. With such an alternative why not invite everybody to be reconciled with God today and to be ready for eternity! "I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6, 2).