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Just
outside the limits of Tombstone, Arizona, is the Tombstone Graveyard, most
often referred to as Boot Hill. Perhaps the reason for the name is that most of
the ‘inhabitants’ of Boot Hill died with their boots on, either victims of
violent death, or engaged in violent actions. But not all died with their boots
on. Three men, part of the Clanton-McLaury Clan who died at the OK Corral
compliments of Doc Holiday and Bat Masterson and company, did die with their
boots on, but there are others who died victims of the brutal the brutal
atmosphere prevailing in Tombstone. There were many who died of other causes
such as three year old Eva Waters who died of Scarlet Fever, and one year old
Thomas Cowan who died of diphtheria. And, of course, a respectable
number of the graves belong to men who were hanged in execution of a jury’s
verdict, or by a lynch mob – a fairly balanced set of books. One Frank Bowles
died after having been thrown from his horse causing his rifle to accidentally
discharge hitting his leg. He lingered unattended in a mining camp until the
leg was infected with gangrene – a condition from which he died. His
tombstone bears this inscription:
In memory of Frank
Bowles,
born Aug. 5, 1828,
died Aug. 26, 1880.
As you pass by,
remember that
as you are, so once
was I, and
as I am, you soon
will be.
Remember me."
It
should be noted each grave-stone faces west, and over the wilderness scene the
crucifixion thorn broods in silent and solemn loneliness.
Some
of the dead at Boot Hill were wanted “dead or alive.” Whether they were taken
dead or alive no longer matters, for all are certainly dead insofar as the law
is concerned today. That holds true for every human inhabiting the planet
today. In the eyes of the law, every man, woman, and child is already dead for
the verdict of the law is always death. “23 For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans
3:23) 23 For the wages
of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) You may aver these
verses apply only to sin, not law-breaking, in which case you would be
mistaken: 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law. (1
John 3:4) The law is a multiple purpose teacher to instruct us in
righteousness, of that which is wicked, and the hopelessness of man to satisfy
that law without a Redeemer. In fact, we were saved under the terms of the law.
Jesus Christ satisfied the penalty for our salvation if we have sought and
received mercy and grace.
We
are all sons and daughters of someone, are we not, on this earth? But in
eternity, we also must lay claim to a father, or a FATHER! 1 Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now
are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as
he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3) The Sons and Daughters of the Heavenly Father do not mingle and
mix with the sons and daughters of the wicked: 14 Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and
I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come
out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a
Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Cor 6:14-18)
Our
countenance shall be changed when we are glorified in our Lord. But more than
appearance marks the sons and daughters of men – so the sons and daughters of
God. The son or daughter takes on the resemblance to the features of the
Parent, but also the NATURE. In God, that nature is one of righteousness and
compassion.
Our
death certificates are executed at our birth. We are as good as dead as we grow
into adulthood. 1 And you hath
he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in
time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his
great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we
were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are
saved; (Eph 2:1-5) Please look
carefully at these five verses. To be quickened means to be “made alive!”
Something that is already alive cannot be made alive. We must already be dead
in order to be made alive. Were you ever dead in trespasses and sins? Certainly
you were, and so is every man born of woman. We all walked in the way of the
world until we received that grace and mercy made available in the calling and
election of God. Lazarus was dead as a door knell in that stone vault of a
tomb. He could not come to Jesus of his own volition. HE WAS DEAD! But when our
Lord called, “Lazarus, Come Forth!” Lazarus had no choice. He immediately came
forth bound tightly in grave clothes. Jesus then said to those around him, “Loose him and let him
go.”
It is when the Son sets us free that we are free indeed.
There is more revealed in Hebrews 11 than the natural eye and
understanding can discern.
Even accomplished scholars of the Word fail to fathom the depths
of its meaning; however, there is simplicity to God’s Word that allows even
rude scholars such as you and me to comprehend the vital points. 8 By faith
Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he
went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of
promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac
and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked
for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith
also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a
child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore
sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the
stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore
innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them,
and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare
plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if
they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they
might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they
desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Heb 11:8-16)
That
ONE which sprang from Abraham’s advanced age was Isaac, but spiritually, the
Redeemer to come. Isaac, like Jesus, was born through a miracle of birth. He
was the fullness of Israel as are all who have believed the Promise made unto
Abraham. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith
not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Gal 3:16) And Christ is our Ark into which we are formed at salvation as
One with Christ and, therefore, One with the Father. 26 For ye are all
the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of
you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:26-29)
If
one simply reads the Holy Scriptures in their absolute simplicity, I cannot see
how any would believe that God has chosen a special race, nation, or tribe as
His Chosen People other than those who have placed their trust, faith, and hope
in the beloved Son of God – our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do
you have a lonely grave reserved at Boot Hill, or in a lonely tomb of Moab? Or
have you received the Promise of the eternal life made available in Jesus
Christ our Lord?
Fini
