Crossing the River

Early this morning, Bill Vos went home to be with his Savior. Yesterday afternoon Marlene found him unconscious. The paramedics arrived within minutes and restarted his heart. He did not, however, regain consciousness.  Late in the afternoon they took him off the ventilator. At 4:20 this morning he woke up to a new reality in the presence of the Lord.

Sitting with the family and reminiscing with them about others who had passed away, I was reminded of the end of John Bunyan’s book “Pilgrim’s Progress.” The book is an allegory of the Christian life. The main character, Christian, takes a long, challenging path to the Celestial City. One of the last challenges is a river, which symbolizes death. The river was very deep, and Christian, along with his friend Hopeful, were daunted by it.

Christian looked around to see if there was any other way to approach the city, but no way could be found that would help them escape the perils of crossing the river. They waded in and Christian quickly began to sink. Hopeful, however, was only waist deep. He tried to encourage his floundering friend, saying “Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good.”

Christian, still floundering and near drowning, replied, “Ah! my friend, the sorrows of death have compassed me about; I shall not see the land that flows with milk and honey.”

Bunyan writes:

And with that a great darkness and horror fell upon Christian, so that he could not see before him; also here he, in great measure, lost his senses, so that he could neither remember nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he had met with in the way of his pilgrimage. But all the words that he spake still tended to discover that he had horror of mind, and hearty fears that he should die in that river, and never obtain entrance in at the gate; here also, as they that stood by perceived, he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since and before he began to be a pilgrim. 'Twas also observed that he was troubled with apparitions of hobgoblins and evil spirits; for ever and anon he would intimate so much by words.

Hopeful, therefore, here had much ado to keep his brother's head above water; yea, sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then ere awhile he would rise up again half dead. Hopeful also would endeavour to comfort him, saying, "Brother, I see the gate, and men standing by it to receive us."

But Christian would answer, "'Tis you, 'tis you they wait for; you have been hopeful ever since I knew you."

"And so have you," said he to Christian.

"Ah, brother," said he, "surely, if I was right, he would now arise to help me; but, for my sins, he hath brought me into the snare, and hath left me."

Then said Hopeful, "My brother, you have quite forgot the text where it is said of the wicked, 'There are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm; they are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men'. (Psalms 73:4, 5)

These troubles and distresses that you go through in these waters are no sign that God hath forsaken you; but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses."

Then I saw in my dream that Christian was as in a muse awhile, to whom also Hopeful added this word, "Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole "; and with that Christian brake out with a loud voice, "Oh, I see him again! and he tells me, 'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee'".

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:2

Then they both took courage, and the enemy was after that as still as a stone, until they were gone over. Christian therefore presently found ground to stand upon; and so it followed that the rest of the river was but shallow. Thus they got over.

Now upon the bank of the river, on the other side, they saw the two shining men again who there waited for them; wherefore, being come up out of the river, they saluted them, saying, "We are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be heirs of salvation." Thus they went along towards the gate. Now you must note that the City stood upon a mighty hill; but the pilgrims went up that hill with ease, because they had these two men to lead them up by the arms; also they had left their mortal garments behind them in the river; for though they went in with them, they came out without them. They therefore went up here with much agility and speed; though the foundation upon which the City was framed was higher than the clouds. They therefore went up through the regions of the air, sweetly talking as they went; being comforted, because they safely got over the river, and had such glorious companions to attend them.

Someday we’ll all cross the river and be with our Lord in His Celestial City. For some, the passing is easy. For others, it nearly overwhelms, For us all, Jesus is our comfort. He waits for us and sends His Spirit to help us remember His promises when it feels like we are drowning.

Today, call Him to mind. Also, lift Marlene and Bill’s family up in prayer. May God give them comfort.

 With You;

Pastor Tim