Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Rev. 14:13 NIV)
A blessing all would wish to claim, but a blessing limited by the Giver to those who die in the Lord.
We have most certainly witnessed many deaths of the blessed individuals.
The latest was our friend and brother in Christ, Jack Strachan. He passed away Sunday evening at 6:30 Scotland time, which would have been about 1:30 Central Daylight Time.
Jack epitomized the life of one living in the Lord and, therefore, one of those blessed ones who dies in the Lord.
His life was directed by the will of God. He allowed God’s word and will to teach him, correct him and direct him. His wife, Maureen, does the same.
Their devotion to God created a marriage of sweetness, kindness, faithfulness, thoughtfulness and a love that exemplified the love of Jesus toward his bride and from his bride.
Jack’s devotion to God gave him a message. God’s message became Jack’s message. It was in his mind, his heart and his soul. It was a message he both talked about and lived. You had to know what God said to understand Jack and where he was coming from.
This devotion to God gave him a hope and made him consider his life here as just a temporary journey. He always lived ready to go home. He had lived his entire life for what happened Sunday afternoon.
No wonder God calls those who live like this, “Blessed”.