There was a woman who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The doctor gave her three months to live. She had a gift of evangelism and always loved sharing her faith. But now, realizing that her life was cut short, she decided to use her funeral as her final opportunity to share her faith.
She gave her pastor her funeral plan, which included singing her favorite hymns and reading her favorite scriptures. She also wanted to be buried with her favorite Bible next to her.
Then she took out a silver fork and asked the pastor to make sure that she had the fork in her hand when they laid her in the casket.
Surprised by her request, the pastor asked why she wanted to be buried with a fork. The woman explained, “Each time I was at a dinner party, the servers would come to clear the plates after the meal. I would give them everything, but every now and then, they would say, ‘Ma’am, please keep your fork.’ I knew right away that they were serving dessert. The best is yet to come!
“So, I just want people to see me in that casket with a shiny fork in my hand, and I want them to wonder, ‘What’s with the fork?’ I want them to know my life doesn’t end here and now. The best is yet to come. This will be my final opportunity to share my faith so my friends can join me in the eternal carnival with Christ with never-ending celebration and joy!
“So, pastor, I want you to be my voice. When they see the fork in my hand and ask a question like the one you asked me. I want you to tell them that it means my life does not end here and now. The best is yet to come because of the grace of Christ, and I want them to enjoy the same future as I do.”
Sure enough, as the pastor stood next to the casket, one after another, who came to view her for the final time, asked the same question. He answered them individually and included the story in his funeral sermon to let everyone know that the fork in her hand meant the best was yet to come.
(End of the story.)
Despite all the ups and downs, tears, and toils, life is still pretty fun! No one wants to die except in extreme cases. Most people fear death because they think the end of life is also the end of fun.
We fear the unknown and the uncertain. Who knows what’s on the other side of death? A few books have been written by those who have died and returned, but we take them with a grain of salt because they are anecdotal.
What if life after death is a never-ending banquet or carnival, where there’s no tear, no pain, no sickness, but eternal love, joy, and peace? If so, is it available for everyone? If not, how do we ensure we will have it? Can we also have a foretaste of it?
Yes, Jesus has given us a foretaste of eternal joy. Based on this week's scripture lesson, you and I will taste it today. Let’s begin!
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