This past Christmas, 16-year old Scarlett Durden of Piedmont, Alabama, had just finished opening Christmas presents. Her family was FaceTiming with their dad, Marvy Durden, II, who was in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant. After unwrapping the gifts, Scarlett had gone to the pantry for a snack, then went back into her own room to set up a new computer. Scarlett’s sister, Shaylee, came into her mom’s room to tell her that Scarlett wasn’t acting right and wouldn’t talk to her. The mom went to find out what was wrong, only to find Scarlett dead. She had gone into cardiac arrest and even though they did CPR, they couldn’t revive her. This young life was lost in seconds.1
Another story takes us to Hurricane, West Virgina and the home of 44-year old Pastor Sam Pierson of South Charleston Grace Church. On New Year’s Day, he was working on his truck when it fell on him, crushing him. He is survived by his wife, two teenaged daughters, and a church family that loved him and is in shock.
“His last social media post came on Dec. 23, stating how excited he was for the Christmas Eve services the next night with “Jesus at the center and families gathered together.”
“Christmas Eve is one of my favorite moments of the year. It’s quiet, meaningful, and deeply personal,” he wrote. “A time to slow down, worship together, share communion, sing carols, and remember the incredible gift of Christ — who has done so much for us, is still at work in us, and promises to walk with us as we place our hope and faith in Him.”2
Two lives ended without warning. Both were young. Both seemed healthy. Both were doing things they enjoyed. Neither saw this coming, nor did their friends and family.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:26 that “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Death is an enemy. Loved ones are snatched away without warning. If they had disappeared or there had been signs of a kidnapping, there would be some hope. Instead, a mother walks into a bedroom and finds her child on the floor, dead. A wife and daughters go out to check on dad, perhaps to take him some coffee or a cookie and they find the horrific scene. The biggest enemy walked into their lives and left them without the hope of the return of the loved one.
This is one of the reasons why it is so important to know Jesus as Savior. There are many reasons but this is one often overlooked. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
If Scarlett and Pastor Sam were born again believers, they are very much alive and in the presence of the Lord. If the families are saved, there will be a great reunion someday. Death has no dominion over them.
That gives a hope that is far greater and more powerful than death. It’s not a wishful thinking kind of hope. It is a confident assurance hope in knowing that they are safe in the arms of Jesus.
Our church family experienced its own heartache on Christmas. We also do not sorrow as those who have no hope. We can rejoice because death, the grave, and hell was defeated at Calvary.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
1https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/entertainment-celebrity/16-year-old-seemed-absolutely-fine-on-christmas-day-then-moments-after-unwrapping-gifts-her-heart-stopped-exclusive/ar-AA1TtytI?ocid=msedgntp&pc=LCTS&cvid=69585d3463ab4e62b6f15140c5bcd9f5&ei=14
2https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/beloved-44-year-old-pastor-dies-on-new-year-s-day-after-at-home-accident/ar-AA1Tth01?ocid=msedgntp&pc=LCTS&cvid=69590a091c364cd99391ac86a4f2d9ad&ei=34
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