“Yes, they got married a few years ago.”
“Oh, how wonderful! I recall that Jake and Sally were together for many years.”
My colleague and I were discussing a mutual friend, Jake, whom I had previously met several years ago. “Yes. We never thought they would get married but their very good friend persuaded them to tie the knot.”
“Wait, what? They got married because their friend asked them to do it?”
“Yes.” she nodded. “He had A.L.S. (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and knew he didn’t have much longer to live. He loved Jake and Sally and always wanted to see them married before he passed away. So to fulfill his dying wish, they agreed to get married and at the wedding, he was there in his wheelchair alongside the couple as they exchanged their vows. It was very touching.” It was the dying wish of a friend coming to fruition in a poignant moment before he passed away.
The Bible records the dying wishes of many saints. Jacob, Moses, and David are a few that come to mind. All looked ahead to better days of God’s promises that would be fulfilled in the future, but not in their lifetimes. Thousands of years later, the Bible recorded the last words of Jesus Christ, a descendent of Jacob and David, and Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian Church.
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34 (CSB)
And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46 (CSB)
The last words of Stephen were very similar to His Lord Jesus Christ.
While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60 (CSB)
The dying wish of both Jesus Christ and Stephen focused upon forgiveness for their executioners and a prayer to God to receive their spirits as they passed away. Instead of wishing for something that would be fulfilled in the future, their dying wish was fulfilled at that moment. I am currently healthy but I do have a dying wish and I pray that it could be fulfilled in my lifetime or even on my deathbed. My wish may not be as dramatic as the friend of Jake and Sally but it is no less important. There are many family members, friends, and colleagues who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I pray that God will draw them closer to Him, see His grace and mercy, and accept His invitation for salvation and eternal life through faith and belief in His Son, Jesus Christ.
This is my wish but not limited to a dying wish. I pray that I will see it before I pass and that together, like the wedding ceremony of Jake and Sally, I will be able to celebrate its fulfillment as fellow children of God.
Amen.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your site.
It seems like some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
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