John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."
This is not only an explanation of why some wonderful Christians die young or other wise, it is also a tribute to one of the most godly women who have gone on to be with the Lord Jesus. That woman was my beloved Wife Jennie who died of cancer at the age of 50 in 1993.
Jennie and I served the Lord Jesus side by side for 17 years. She was the perfect Pastor's Wife. The Scripture above is one that for me, explains why dedicated Christians die in the Lord. Lets look at what Jesus says in His High Priestly Prayer, as we sometimes call it.... I desire that they (Jennie) also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.
Now, that is a prayer that Jesus the Son of God has asked of His Father. In 1990, Jennie was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer with only two years to live. At that time, I had been the Pastor of three Baptist Churches and let me tell you that there were literally thousands of folk who were praying for her to be healed.
The thought of me going on without her was not an option. It seemed that I searched the Scriptures for any verse that seemed to promise physical healing. At that time, we were attending a Holiness Pentecostal Church and the Pastor was a noted Evangelist who was successful praying for the sick and they recovered. I began my Pentecostal training because Baptist theology is not that great for healing.
When Jennie died and went on to be with Jesus, the verse in John 17 was my only source of peace. I admired and loved this woman named Jennie who fit the role of a virtuous woman. Most of all, Jesus loved her more than I did and as a result, He rewarded her by taking her to Heaven and the New Jerusalem where she waits for me even today.
The point that I want to make is this....When I prayed for Jennie's healing, I was unaware that Jesus had already prayed to His Father that Jennie would leave this earth and come to be where Jesus was. Now, there are two prayers before the Father. One is Jesus' and also thousands are folk who loved Jennie and wanted her to stay and be healed.
Which prayer is the Father going to answer? I believe that there are times when the Father says to His Son, "sorry Jesus, we'll heal this one for now. Other times, He says to Jesus, Ok Son, lets bring her Home.
I hope this blesses your heart and helps to understand a little about the death of a loved one who loved the Lord and His Father.
