The Weekly Encourager – December 7, 2012 – Another Death, Another Life

We just got the news that Joe McNulty, son of Paul and Brenda McNulty, died. This young man was in his mid-twenties, a contemporary of our own sons - they grew up together in the church. He had been getting treatment for cancer, then a tumor was found, he got another infection, and he was gone. Just like that, another death of someone we knew. It sometimes seems that this life is only sorrow upon sorrow.

Yet his family wrote, ”He fought the good fight against a giant of a cancer and The Lord has given him the crown of life....His greatest desire at the end of his life was to be holy, according to his own words....As his sickness advanced rendering parts of his body useless, his mind sharpened and he wanted to know all kinds of things. He said that he had lots of time to think in his hospital bed and that he dreamed of many things for his family members and friends. But he wasn't quite sure what God's purpose was for him....As we've heard over and over from many of you, his purpose was to inspire us to live each day for Christ and seek to give glory to God even when our life runs into obstacles. After all this life is not about us, it's about the One who made us and His purposes.”

In sending out the news, Pastor Dave Coffin wrote,

On Wednesday afternoon Joe McNulty fell asleep in the Lord. The shock was palpable, the grief profound.

I use the phrase "fell asleep", not as a euphemism, but because this is the Scripture's bold way of refusing conformity to the world, denying the victory and finality of death. Thus should our minds be transformed, even before the fears, sorrows and pains that are the reality of this passing age.

Because Christ "has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:20), our Lord's resurrection is a sign that Joe will awaken from death to resurrection. Because "Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (1Thes. 4:14). And so we will see Joe again!...

So let us grieve deeply with the McNultys, the grief called for and informed by faith. As our Lord wept at his friend's death, let us weep together freely, knowing that He will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4). Let us mourn, with an underlying confidence that in His time our Lord will turn "mourning into dancing" (Ps. 30:11).

What is my response to the news of another death as we begin to celebrate Christmas? We know that God is faithful and His timing is perfect. What about the timing of Joe's passing – is this too harsh on God's part? I weep with Joe's parents, but I can't empathize fully since I haven't lost a child. As I told them, I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose my only son, but God knows what it's like, so cry out to Him. He will hear and understand and comfort as no one else can.

This is the message of Christmas: God sent His only begotten Son (think of the grief! think of the love!) so that whoever believes in Him could have eternal life. A famous line from the tv series “LOST” comes to mind: “See you in another life, brother.” Joe has another life, a strong, joyful, and fulfilling life that will last forever! Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift! Because God gave His only Son, the McNultys' only son is now enjoying a state of bliss that we can't even imagine. He is pain-free and sin-free, enjoying the many rewards of faith in Christ.

Merry Christmas, Joe, and all those below.