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I have always been interested in history. From big historical events to the culture of the time period, I take myself back in time to think about what it might have been like back then. When I see an old picture to see how people dressed or what the landscape looked like I think about what they didn’t have compared to what we have today. A few things come to mind such as technology, transportation, and even the mindset we now have. I feel nostalgic when I think about my childhood and yet have a great appreciation for the history that came well before me.
One of the things that run alongside my fascination with history is when I come across an old cemetery. I almost always notice them. Whether it’s a large one or a small one I can’t help but think of the history that lies inside those grounds. And, when I’ve walked inside a cemetery reading the names showing both birth dates and death dates, the thought hits me that every tombstone represents a human being in the past that lived a true, real-life story.
When I think of those human stories, almost without fail, I calculate in my head how long the person lived to see if they lived a long life or died young. I am not sure why I always do that, but from there I often wonder about many different things about their history. And then I realize something else altogether. The things I wonder about them just satisfy my curious mind, but what I then realize is the reason for this blog.
I wonder about the vast differences that each life in that cemetery lived. What did they do for a living? Did they do anything significant in the public eye? Did they have large families or small families? Did they live a moral life or a not-so-moral life? How well-known or unknown were they? What secrets they may have had? What was going on in the world at the time they lived? The topics to wonder and be curious about could go on and on almost without end.
But then the realization of all of it hits me. What would each person in that cemetery say today? If they could come back for one day, just one, what would they want to tell the world today? Do you think they would be fascinated with the technology that they never had an opportunity to see? Do you think they would be fascinated seeing a car travel up a street at speeds they had no idea was even possible? Would they want to talk about the planes flying overhead? What would be the discussion they would want to have if brought back for just that one day? The truth is it would be none of those topics. None of them would even be a close second. The topic would be just one and one only. It would be on what you and I are doing with Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!
If you don’t believe me, that is ok for now, let me back this up. After all, I need to prove it or you have wasted your time reading this. I value you way too much for that to happen so now it is on me to deliver. So, I do this with all the humbleness, humility, and love that I can, but with an eternal warning.
Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus – “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at this gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered in sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus by his side. And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘I beg of you, father, to send him to my father’s house—- for I have five brothers—-so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if some should rise from the dead.’”
Asking, accepting, and proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior for what He did on the cross to cover our sins and conquer eternal death for us starts with us repenting of our sins. I am convinced that every soul in every cemetery scattered across the globe, if they could come back for one day, would cry out a warning to all of us to repent of our sins. If you go back and read that Scripture again, think it through, and dissect it, there are things I hope will jump off the page. It did for me. I hope it will for you too and that is this:
1. No amount of “evidence” will be sufficient for anyone who doesn’t have a repentant heart.
2. Once this life is over there are no “do-overs”, “now I know”, “my bads”, or “give me a second chance” after the rush of Truth is revealed to us after physical death. (See #3 below)
3. What God has given us in the here and now is absolutely sufficient “evidence” to make a decision to bow our heads and bend our knees to the King of kings and Lord of lords, our Savior Jesus Christ. (Moses and the Prophets… the Word of God, The Holy Bible)
4. The rejection of Christ (John 3:16-18; John 14:6 spells out who He is) sends us to a place after this life is over that is so unthinkably horrible- so much so – that the rich man didn’t ask for a life supply of water, a gallon of water, or even a cup of water. No, this guy asked for the tip of a finger in water! That is how much he was in torment. Do a quick experiment: When you are thirsty, go get a glass of water. Dip your finger in it and put it on your tongue. Then ask yourself this: How bad would it have to be if you were begging for only that to help you with the torment you were forever living in? We all MUST repent of our sins.
5. Finally, those of us who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Lazarus) have ETERNAL hope. There is a place awaiting us that will take all the wickedness and hurt of this place away forever.
We live in a world fascinated by death, the supernatural, and even fear. If you think I am wrong, that’s ok, but good luck trying to explain the famous industry of horror films with its popularity. And more importantly, horror films that focus on the paranormal. Maybe you could try and make an argument that my fascination with an old cemetery puts me right there too, but could it be actually something more real? Something wrapped in Truth? Well, I’m here to make that claim, unwrap that claim, and back it up. I have all the confidence in my being that the above Scripture did just that. My hope is someone, just someone if only 1, will grab a hold of this and God will use it to change their life. Not for today, but for eternity. This is my prayer! My God and King, I leave this to you.
So, whenever you pass a cemetery, I ask you to ponder this. What are the cries coming out of that cemetery from those who lived in the past? Real lives that have come and gone. I am telling you there is only one cry and one cry only. It is the warning that surpasses all warnings!
Repent of your sin and let what Jesus Christ did on the cross, what the Lord your God did for you, save you!
Have Character!
J. Noah Russell
2 responses to “The Warnings Of All Warnings! The Cries From The Cemetery.”
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WOW, What a great story! you’ve encapsulated the real meaning of life here!! Thank you!
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Thank you very much for your kind words. They are an encouragement to me and the mission here. It means a lot that you took the time to post a comment. Thank you! Have Character!
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WOW, What a great story! you’ve encapsulated the real meaning of life here!! Thank you!
Thank you very much for your kind words. They are an encouragement to me and the mission here. It means a lot that you took the time to post a comment. Thank you! Have Character!