This weekend a good friend died. He was more than 90-years-old and had been ill with cancer. He had been confined to his house for the past 3 years beingly lovingly cared for by his wife of 67 years. My friend has received a visit or telephone call from his GP most weeks and in recent months nurses came to the home to treat him. My wife and I also visited him and his wife each week.

In the last few weeks, he was confined to a specially provided bed at home and district nurses and Marie Curie nurses provided excellent palliative care. They ensured that he was free from pain. When we visited him, he was mentally alert and thankful. Every Sunday he and his wife watched the services online from the local church to which they belonged. On Sunday morning he quietly passed into the presence of his Lord.

Death is a fact of life in this world. It was not like that from the beginning but when Adam and Eve disobeyed God death entered the world. We may die at any age and death comes in different ways. It is an appointment none of us can avoid. The Bible says death is an enemy – the last enemy. Jesus Christ came into the world to be the Saviour, to conquer death and to give us a sure hope.

The last time I visited my friend I read these words of Jesus to him, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither be afraid. You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

There is a discussion today about what is a good death. John Wesley, the leader of the 18th century Methodist movement said, “Our people die well.” His brother Charles had written to him telling him what a doctor had said to him, “Most people die for fear of dying, but I never met with such people as yours. None of them are afraid of death, but are calm, and patient, and resigned to the last.” The early Methodists noted that, in an age when medical care was much more basic than it is today, so many of their people faced death with faith and peace. It was like that with my friend. When he died, he knew that Jesus had prepared a place for him in heaven.