Marcus Redding at the Cemetery

“Things are going to happen right here.” The preacher had gestured with a sweep of his hand, looking over the rows of grave markers that surrounded them. Then he read from the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians.

He remembered Grandpa Sam’s graveside service which took place exactly one week ago. Now here was Marcus again the next Saturday morning, looking down at the grave marker. Grandpa Sam had chosen an unusual inscription: “Samuel Arthur Redding. 1929-2009. With Christ in life. With Christ in death. Looking Forward to Resurrection.”

Marcus took in a deep breath of the cool East Texas air and looked up. Why was he here? He felt the vague notion that he had to say goodbye, again, finally get some closure. He loved his grandfather. He died so suddenly. The funeral happened so quickly he hardly had time to think about how his number one fan and the man he admired so much was gone. Grandpa Sam had always been there. He never changed. Now all Marcus could think about was how he wanted things to stay the same. He did better when things did not change. Loss and change brought worry and stress. Not handling change, that’s what caused him to fall away.

His cell phone rang. Two short tones. A text message. It was from Lauren. It read, “Haven’t we been here before?” Lauren was reminding him of a few months ago when Marcus went to Bruce’s grave on the fifth anniversary of the accident. He texted back, “Need to say goodbye, one more time.” Marcus knew what was coming next because Lauren had said it before. She told him gently but firmly. Two short tones. Loud in the quiet cemetery. He opened the message, “Don’t look back. Look forward. 1 Thess 4:13-18.”

She was right. Nine times out of ten Lauren was right. Where would he be without her? Marcus looked back down at the grave marker, “Looking Forward to Resurrection.” He smiled and took a deep breath and turned away. “Looking forward,” he thought. He got up in his truck and leaned over to pick up his Bible off the floorboard of the passenger side. He looked up 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. He knew the main idea. But he wanted to read it word for word. Lauren was right. This was the closure he needed.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.