Daily Encouragement

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Walking through the Red Bridge (shown above) I snapped this view of an old stone farmhouse on the other side of the Tulpehocken Creek. Doesn't it look like a wonderful place for aunts, uncles, and cousins to descend upon Grandma and Grandpa's for a huge Christmas dinner. Perhaps the younger cousins could be on the look-out for the families to arrive one by one as they drive through the old covered bridge.
Click to enlarge.

"The Last Enemy"

Message summary: Surely Charles Wesley was looking ahead to this future resurrection when he wrote, "Born that man no more may die" since he and everyone else still experiences death.

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“The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

This season many of us have been singing or hearing the Christmas carol, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". Have you sung it yet? We did this last Sunday and the previous Sunday in New England. It remains one of the most beloved Christmas songs and was written in 1739 by the newly converted Charles Wesley. He was often inspired to write texts as he rode for hours upon hours horseback. He'd simply stop at houses along the road and knock on the door to ask for "pen and ink". Not only did he author the famous Christmas carol in 1739 but also the equally famous Easter song, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today". Since we are celebrating Christmas, not Easter we will consider this line in the Carol, “Born that man no more may die” and what our daily text calls, "the last enemy".

I (Stephen) grew up in Belton, Missouri, a small town about 20 miles south of Kansas City. Richards-Gebaur Air Force base, which was very active at that time at the height of the Cold War was next to our town (it's now closed). We often heard sonic booms as the fighter jets trained overhead. We enjoyed an annual open house at the base and seeing the Thunderbirds air show. Many of my friends growing up in Cambridge Elementary School were base kids whose parents served in the Air Force.

But my most poignant memory was in regard to an event that was my earliest introduction to death. It took place 62 years ago on this very date on December 19, 1961. A large Douglas C-124A Globemaster 4 engine cargo plane crashed in a field out west of Belton right after takeoff, killing all seven crew members.

When my dad got home from work that afternoon the two of us drove out to the crash site where we could see recovery workers looking through the still smoldering wreckage. We stood silently observing the carnage on a day I can still recall as cold and drizzly. After awhile my dad placed his hand on my shoulder and explained death to me.

I don't recall much of what he said but do specifically remember this. He solemnly pointed out, "These men had families who will not see them this Christmas". My dad had trained as a pilot during World War 2 so surely this scene also gave him some pause for consideration.

Up to that point in my life I had both sets of grandparents, all my aunts and uncles and I don't think I even knew anyone who had ever died. To the best of my recollection I had never even thought about death. Dad’s lesson hit me hard especially with Christmas near. It just didn’t seem right that something like this should happen at all but certainly not near Christmas.

Forward to today and our hearts are extremely troubled of hostages still being held by the Hamas terrorists, and we consider what a dark Christmas it will be not only for them but their families. We continue to intercede in prayer for these innocent lives.

Over the last 62 years I’ve since had many encounters with what Paul calls "the last enemy". Our grandparents, both sets of parents, aunts and uncles, now older cousins, Brooksyne’s oldest sister and so many others have faced this enemy. Of course being a minister I have conducted many funerals and Brooksyne has as well in her chaplaincy role. We’ve worked with people through their own valley of the shadow of death.

The early church, having a firm belief in the glorious resurrection of Christ, nevertheless, experienced death; many through martyrdoms. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul is defending the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of those who believed in Him. Especially in the section verses 20-28 he deals with the matter of human death and future resurrection.

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Paul calls death, “the last enemy”. On this side of eternity we all deal with the reality of death. The closer it hits home the greater the personal and lasting pain. Sometimes death is after a long, well-lived life, which of course can still bring loss and mourning to loved ones.

But so often death comes early and tragically through disease, accidents, violence, war. It does not discriminate; godly missionaries are slain while about the Lord’s work; a young mother is smitten with cancer; a young child is killed by a drunk driver; a baby is violently murdered inside what should be the safest place of their existence. Such is the nature of the fallen world we live in.

But a future glimpse of heaven brings us fresh hope and eager anticipation for that appointed day when the last enemy is destroyed. John described this, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Surely Charles Wesley was looking ahead to this future resurrection when he wrote, "Born that man no more may die" since he and everyone else still experiences death. Christ's birth leads to life.

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for Jesus who was born that man no more may die. The grave is not the end for the believer, but simply the passage way into an eternal dwelling with You, our Lord Jesus Christ, the celestial beings, and the saints whom we join there. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, but the lights of glory will welcome us into our eternal home where we will reunite with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before us. Grant special grace to those who’ve experienced recent loss and encourage their hearts this day. We pray for this through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Hark The Herald Angels Sing" Watch on YouTube Reawaken Hymns

"The Christmas Shoes" Watch on YouTube NewSong

This is a ballad type song that tells the story of a little boy who’s determined to get some fancy red shoes for his dying mother so she’ll look good when she meets Jesus. Ester says, “Daddy, that song always makes me cry.” Well, it’s brought me to tears on more than one occasion! It’s a reminder of the real message of Christmas; a message of the tremendous joy of giving to meet the needs of others. It’s the heart of the Christmas message as God joyfully gave to meet our greatest need.

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there’s not much time
You see she’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

It’s also a message reminding us of the pain and death that are a part of life, a universal experience. In fact in the song, and the movie based on this song, the little boy’s mother dies on Christmas Eve.

"The Christmas Shoes" Watch on YouTube English Full Movie | Drama Family

Here's the details of the 1961 plane crash in the Aviation Safety database

Year ago I alluded to this memory in another message and received a note from a man whose father was on that plane. He had not yet been born when his father died in the accident. He apparently was searching for anything he could find about the accident and came across our message which he told us was a blessing to see the event and his father remembered.

Berks County

Today we feature another of my favorite photographic subjects; covered bridges.

The Red Bridge, originally known as Wertz's Bridge, at 220 feet is the longest single span covered bridge in Pennsylvania. Built in 1867 and one of five remaining in Berks County, the covered bridge allows pedestrians to pass over the Tulpehocken Creek to the Union Canal Bicycle and Walking Trail and the Berks County Heritage Center.
Click on image to enlarge

Tulpehocken Creek in Berks County, PA (Click to enlarge)

Tulpehocken Creek from a window in the Red Bridge

Special Year-end Financial Appeal

We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. Thus we bump up this appeal on each post through the remainder of the year.

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