Jump Start # 3742
Luke 16:22 “Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.”
This week I have been pulling out unknown, forgotten and long ago songs from a paperback 1914 hymnal called, “The New Gospel Songbook.” This hymnal was given to me long ago from a distant family member who collected hymnals. After his death, his family was going to throw them all away. I leaped at the opportunity to gather these. Some of the songbooks have words but no notes. I’m not sure how the people knew what the tune would be. My great grandparents and grandparents and even my dad worshipped at these long ago small country congregations.
If these old hymnals could speak, what stories they could tell. Held by mothers whose husbands and sons were in far away places fighting wars. Held by some as tears of sorrow trickled down their cheeks. Held by some with great joy as they witnessed someone wanting to be baptized into Christ. Held by some whose hearts were touched by the word of God and they determined to live better and more righteously. And, sadly, held by some as they were placed in a box, the doors of the church building were closed and locked and never again to be used in a congregation. Oh, if these old hymnals could speak.
The hymn for today is, “Will the angels come for me?” This one is still found in many current hymnbooks. Both the lyrics and the tune were written by J. S. Torbett (1868-1940) a famous hymnwriter. His most famous song was “Glory-land way.” The Stamps-Baxter music company out of Dallas was a leader in publishing new hymns and they particularly liked what Torbett was producing. For many years, his compositions were included in the various hymnals they printed.
Written in 1900, Will the angels come for me?
When my work on earth is ended, will the angels come for me?
Will they bear me on their pinions, O’er the dark and stormy sea?
When life’s sun is slowly sinking, and the soul will soon be free,
Will the gates of Heaven open, and the angels come for me?
Will the angels bear me upward to that home so bright and fair?
There to be with Christ my Saviour, and the ransomed gathered there?
Chorus: Will the angels come for me, when I cross the stormy sea?
Will they take me home to God.
When the long rough way I trod?
Immediately, we notice that this hymn asks many questions. Seven questions are asked, but actually, it’s just one question over and over again, “Will the angels come for me?”
This hymn takes us to the death of Lazarus in Luke 16. Poor, sickly, helpless and hopeless he was laid at the gates of a rich man. This seems to have been his last and final hope. The rich man ignored Lazarus and the poor man died. It is here that the Bible says, the angels carried Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22). The hymn asks, “Will the angels come for me?”
There are several fascinating thoughts that come to our mind:
First, the hymn speaks of a comfort in death. So many do not want to engage in a serious discussion about death. Oh, they’ll watch movies with all kinds of death but they don’t want to think about themselves dying. Maybe they think, if we don’t talk about it, it will go away. It never goes away. There is a divine appointment with death that we must all keep.
But, the hymn is not talking about death in general, but a look at the hope that is found in the heart of a disciple. It speaks of Heaven, being with Christ, and taking one home to God. From that standpoint, death is simply a door or a passageway to get from one room to the next room. I’m in my office writing. If I want to go into another room, I must walk through a doorway. I’ve not changed. I’m the same person in both rooms. I’ve moved from one room to the next. In many ways, that’s all death is for the righteous. Nothing to fear. Nothing to dread. Go through that door and be with God.
Second, there are all kinds of questions, curiosity and other aspects that we wonder about with death that are simply not shared with us in the Bible. Will I see the angels? How many angels does God send? Do I see myself floating away from earth? Is it fast or is it slow and dramatic? Will I know what’s happening? What will it feel like? So many questions. Trust the Lord. It will be fine. God will take care of us. He always has.
Third, in the account of the rich man and Lazarus, after death, they seem to have their identity, memory, feelings, concerns, and understanding why they are where they are. The rich man is able to see Abraham and Lazarus. Could Lazarus see the rich man? In death, it was just the opposite of what they experienced in life. The rich man had everything while on earth. In death, he became a beggar. Lazarus, unable to even keep the dogs away from him, in death is comforted by Abraham. The contrasts in both life and death between these two are amazing.
I do a lot of flying to get to places to preach. I’m asked often, “How was the flight?” And, I’ve seen just about everything. Saw a guy removing his shoes and then his socks. Ugh. Heard conversations the entire flight, thinking don’t they ever take a breath? Fussy kids. Complaining passengers. Long lines. Spilled drinks. Bumpy flights. Turbulence. But, once I am where I need to be, it doesn’t matter. I’m an on the ground and all is well.
And, in a similar way, I think that’s how we’ll feel when we make it home to Heaven. How was your journey? For some, long. For some, hard. For some, lonely. For some, a joy. For some, peaceful. But, once we are at home with God, it won’t matter. We’ll be where we are supposed to be.
Will the angels come? Yes. Certainly. Sent from Heaven, bidding God’s call, to carry us safely to where we belong.
Roger