What Kind of Death Did They Die?

Three Well-Known Deaths

This past week, three celebrities died—Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, & Michael Jackson. They grabbed the headlines which is to be expected. As far as ability goes, each added to his own industry in unique ways which will never be forgotten by this generation . . . or beyond, I suspect. The tragedy multiplies infinitely IF they did not know Jesus Christ as their Savior. There seems no evidence that they professed such faith in Christ. So, again this is the real tragedy, not that a musician died, or that a ‘70's icon pass on or that an octogenarian late night side kick finally breathed his last. Oh, folks will make much of their accomplishments, gifts & talents and contributions to the glitz industry and to humor. They may even point to some redeeming quality about each which is (it seems) supposed to offset a completely God-denying life, but which nonetheless qualifies them for heaven!? This is a very common practice among those without hope, desperate to declare it for another. After all, "what is to become of us," they say, "when we die?" Understandable. Yet, salvation through Jesus is possible for them as well, but not via peer declaration. Question is: was that ever in their sights? I hope that it was. I fear that it was not.

One Unknown

Here in upstate New York, near the NY thruway on route 19 another man died this past week, an 84 year old retired minister. He, contrary to the previous three, is not well known. He earned a pastor’s salary commensurate with a rural community, and did not even have a retirement fund to carry him into his last years. Back in those days, that wasn’t uncommon. Rather he had to work to keep up his subsistence laboring in the field of electricity, and pastoring a small body of believers in the town of Stafford, NY. He died probably from a diabetes reaction which caused him to swerve into oncoming traffic, killing both himself and a 62 year old gentleman. He wasn’t that well known except around here. But he WAS well known to God. Ray Sissel was a lovely man, gentle, an avid hunter and fisherman, affable in every way. We mourn his home going, but not his entrance into glory!! Oh, no. THAT we celebrate, as does he! But be sure of this, Ray did not enter into glory because he was a pastor; he pastored because that glory was too dear to keep to himself! God, through Christ, saves those who cry out to him. He further transforms them and puts his Holy Spirit into their hearts filling them with comfort and strength and joy! Truly, “Precious in his sight is the death of one of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). Precious indeed. We look forward to the day when we shall see Ray Sissel again. But more importantly, we anticipate walking with Jesus. Ah, that will be glory!

It is not how MANY mourn your loss, but WHO WELCOMES YOUR DEATH! Ray is looking at Jesus NOW. I'll take that! Praise God, all who cry out to God may have such hope. "For the Son of Man [Jesus] has come to seek and to save those who are lost" (Luke 19:10).