Seeing Beyond Easter

When one has faced the possibility of premature death and has seen many walk through the Valley of The Shadow of Death, Easter becomes a really important symbol, especially when we find ourselves mired down in a winter Friday. This has been true for me and because of this I have found myself attracted to reading the words of those that have been in this place also.

The luminous victorious words of people, yet standing in the dark shadows, can cast a blinding radiance of Hope that will fill all our being. In closing, I would like to cite Norman Vincent Peale's reflections on the last words of two individuals that were well known to him, the beloved American pastor who sparked hope in the hearts of millions across nearly ten decades of ministry.

"The longer I live, the more I'm impressed by the greatness of human beings. I think people are positively wonderful; especially those who have absorbed the resurrection spirit. I was asked to call upon a woman who was very ill in the hospital. Upon entering her room, I asked her how she was. I was startled by the directness of her answer. With a rare and beautiful smile she said, "Physically, I must admit, I am not well. But spiritually I'm all right; and mentally, also. I may as well tell you that I am going to die physically."

I looked into her eyes and realized that she was a great soul. I did not, therefore, make the superficial protestation that she was not going to die; she was correct. I shall never forget the serenity, the objectivity with which she approached the event that so many hold in terror. She was like a person making ready to go on a long journey, even a beautiful journey. There was no sense of fear, only sublime trust in the Master."

Peale continues to quote this terminally ill victorious patient who has now gone on to the Golden City and received her inheritance in Christ. "I wanted to see you, not because I particularly need any comfort, but to urge you to keep preaching Christ's message of hope and faith, to keep on telling people that if they find Jesus Christ and have a close relationship with Him, He will help them in every way." She smiled radiantly at him, once again. "He is so close to me. I have no fear of life; I have no fear of death."

Peale stood at her bed, knowing he would not see her again and said to her "I salute you as a very great lady, one of the greatest I have ever known. You have no fear of life; you have no fear of death. Therefore, you have won the greatest of all possible victories. Wherever you go in the vest reaches of eternity, Jesus Christ will be with you."

On another occasion Peale received an astounding letter from a man telling him of his father's death. I don't believe any other religious system of thought or experience other than Easter Promise of the Christian tradition could honestly be expected to reproduce the hope and victory of this man's death bed experience. Perhaps this letter should be put up in every hospital, hospice, and home in America.

"My father experienced the transition yesterday. He looked at the transition as being a wonderful and glorious event. He told us several times after learning from the doctors of his serious condition, 'Boys, I am about to have the greatest experience a man can have, either way it turns out. If God sees fit to heal me, I will be in a position to be a great witness to Christ, having gone down to the valley and then back up again. On the other hand, if God calls me home, I will have the greatest experience in life. And so I will win, either way you look at it.'"

This same man's father had also written to Peale the following wondrous words of encouragement and faith.

“This is one letter I hate to write to you, and yet it is a joyous letter. About two months ago, the doctors analyzed my condition as a malignant lung, and I've been in the hospital taking cobalt treatments. But life becomes more wonderful every day I live. It is joyous irrespective of the discomfort and pain that are in my body, knowing that I am one with God. I know that He is my Father, and I know that life is eternal and that the spirit of God dwells within me. I am immortal. I am living in immortality now and always will be.”

Does it get any better than this? These patients KNEW where they were going. Peale had a good idea then and now knows it for himself, having ended his earthly travels several years ago.

His wife Ruth of many years has recently compiled much of his unpublished writings and sermons. In these he left these final words.

“If people will surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, they will have eternal life. I know it as a fact. For when Easter really happens to you, you enter into one of the most subtle realizations in all the world, namely, that your loved one who are physically gone from this earth, and you, yourself, are citizens of a dynamic universe, a universe that is not material but spiritual.”


"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."