“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Going through some photos that I had taken in Haiti years ago and came across the attached photo of a large cemetery high along the side of a rural mountain road on the way to Font Baptiste in the Arcahaie District and I thought that this would be a good time to share it with you and why it grabs at my throat whenever I see it. You’ve probably seen it before.
When you visit a cemetery here in North America and place flowers on the grave of a family member or friend and then spend some time reflecting on memories that you had with them, how often do you stop and thank Jesus for saving them and you? If you are like me, that thought may not cross your mind. The cemetery on the hillside in Haiti probably has graves over 200 years old filled with several generations, and sadly, most of the souls that were brought here didn’t know Jesus but lived in fear of the vodou priest; they probably won’t be in Heaven. I heard a Pastor recently give a test to his congregation, asking them if it was more important to live a happy, fun filled life or a life focused on striving to accomplish God’s will. Can’t we do both? It’s hard to imagine that there are ear’s that have still not heard the truth about Jesus Christ and the empty tomb, but there are; take another look at the cemetery in Haiti. Sharing the message of Eternal Life is so important to the living souls in Haiti and also in your home town. On Tuesday a friend shared that there are an estimated 140,000 in Lincoln that don’t know about Jesus. How about in your home town? A gospel song found its way onto my computer today that provided a message about never growing old; in Heaven we will never grow old. The words were written by James C. Moore in 1914 and they are still relevant today.
“I have heard of a land on the faraway strand, ’tis a beautiful home of the soul; built by Jesus on high, where we never shall die, ’tis a land where we never grow old. Never grow old, never grow old, in a land where we’ll never grow old; never grow old, never grow old, in a land where we’ll never grow old. In that beautiful home where we’ll never more roam, we shall be in the sweet by and by; happy praise to the King through eternity sing, ’tis a land where we never shall die. When our work here is done and the life-crown is won, and our troubles and trials are o’er; all our sorrow will end, and our voices will blend, with the loved ones who’ve gone on before.”
When my journey in Haiti would pass by cemeteries or funeral processions the same question arose, “do you suppose they had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?” Had anybody told them about the Hope that came to us from the empty cross and tomb where our Savior broke the chains of death, satan and the vodou priest?
Christian education is so very important in Haiti, and Trinity HOPE feeding programs are so very important to the young missionaries who need to grow spiritually and physically as they prepare to take the saving message of Christ to the ear that have not heard and lives that have not accepted Christ. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, you are Easter people, your eyes focus upon that cross of Calvary, you remember Who was there for you, why He was there and why all this world needs to turn to Him.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay