“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
While going through some photos that I had taken in Haiti decades ago, I came across the attached photo of a large cemetery high along a rural mountain road on the way to Font Baptiste in the Arcahaie District and thought that since Easter is getting closer, this would be a good time to share it with you and tell you why it grabs at my throat.
When you visit a cemetery with family members 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 may not cross your mind about them being saved. The cemetery on this hillside in Haiti probably has above ground tombs that are over 200 years old and are filled with the bones of several generations, and sadly, most of the souls that were brought here didn’t know Jesus but lived their entire lives in fear of the vodou priest; they probably won’t be in Heaven.
Last Sunday, Alexa played a gospel song that provided a message about never growing old; in Heaven we will never grow old. I Googled the song and 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 always arose to me, “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 sin, 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 ears that have not heard and lives that have not accepted Christ. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, during the final days in this season of Lent, keep your eyes focused upon that cross of Calvary, and always remember Who was there for you, why He was there and why all people in this sin-filled world need to turn to Him.
Dear 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