08/17/2022
Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
Yesterday morning I took a walk through a part of the cemetery. The word cemetery in Greek means “RESTING PLACE”. A place of peace where you are not disturbed. Today it was peaceful, very quiet.
As I walked and read the names on the headstones, some of the names I knew, so I had memories of them, and what they were able to accomplish in their lives. Others I did not know, so their lives are a mystery to me.
As I looked at the headstones, the thought came to me that once all of them were like me, alive and well, working, caring for their families, enjoying their lives. I also thought that one day I will be like them, with a headstone of my own. But the thought does not scare me. 1 Cor. 15:55-57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is in the law. BUT THANKS BE TO God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We do not have to fear death if we are ready. Ready means accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
The cemetery has been a “mission” and “ministry” of Bethel Baptist Church for over 100 years. The church is committed to providing a beautiful and dignified place for families to be able to bury their loved ones. The committee now consist of J. R. Lee, Lynda Lee (treasure),Mike Mansfield, and Edward Massey. Many others have been involved over the years in care of the cemetery, and many of them are now resting in Bethel Baptish Church Cemetery.
We as a church know that care of the cemetery is a temporary job. Someday it will no longer be necessary. 1 Thes. 3:16-18 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words”. When the Lord returns, we will be out of the cemetery business. The church and all of His people will be gone. We will be going home. Are you ready? Have you done what is necessary? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
