The Other Side to Death - John 14:1-6

Introduction

We have gathered here today because Bro. Moss McCarty, Sr. lived. This morning I am sure you have recalled his giving nature and spirit, something he said, or did that as soon as you hear his name begins to cause pictures, moments, and stories to illuminate in your mind. After 97 years on this earth I can only begin to imagine the life he lived and shared with each of you.

As your minds are flooded in this season with good memories, perhaps some tough memories, even some laughs, meals shared, and time spent I want to tell you that as long as those live and remain in you; Bro. McCarty will never die.

Among the things about death is that we all will travel this way one day. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, how many people you know, what part of town you live in; we all will come this way.

That is because death is certain.

But as death is certain; death is equally a mystery because while we will all come this way - no one knows when.

Death is not just certain, not just a mystery but it is often an allusion.

We often view this side of death as all there is because it pulls so hard at our heart strings to be separated from someone whom we love.

But there is indeed another side to death. I once knew someone who had anticipated going to Niagara Falls. She discovered that there are two sides to Niagara Falls. There is the Buffalo, New York side and the Canada side. She had gone eager and excited to see Niagara Falls but she went to the Buffalo side. The views weren’t as breathtaking as she imagined and had anticipated. She returned to Pennsylvania and when she began to tell of her experience, someone told her what her mistake was. She was looking at Niagara Falls from the wrong side. The man told her go get your passport and go back only this time go to the Canadian side.

In 97 years, Bro. McCarty lived through:

The Great Depression that began in 1929 until 1939

World War II - 1939-1945

The Vietnam War

Raised during Jim Crow and the struggle for Civil Rights

The lynching and beating of black and brown people

Racism

Bigotry

The Assassination of Dr. MLK, Jr.

The Oklahoma City Bombing

The September 11th attacks

Mass shootings killing children and teachers - trying to learn and teach

Mass incarceration predominantly of black men

Murders of unarmed black men; one carrying a sweet tea and wearing a hoodie

The election of the racists, bigot and chief of who I will not name; we’ll just call him 45

And among other things a pandemic of which the likes have not been seen since even years prior to Bro. McCarty’s birth.

I could imagine my friends dismay when she got to the Buffalo side of Niagara Falls and didn’t realize what she had heard and been told.

She got her passport like the man said, took the drive from Northwestern Pennsylvania to Canada and she then experienced all of what she had heard about Niagara Falls.

But she had to go on the other side to see it.

And family, I know your grieving on this side but Bro. McCarty made it to the other side. He made it to the place where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary shall be at rest.

I’ve got to get out of here but I told you before my friend could go to see the other side of Niagara Falls she needed a passport to get there. You can’t leave one country and get into another without a passport.

Jesus gave us access to get the passport; He said I am the way. Don’t you be bamboozled by the Buffalo side of life. You’ve got to remember you have some good days on the Buffalo side… you got some cars, some money, some influence, some affluence, some houses, a good job, a good family… But baby you’re still on the Buffalo side of this thing.

Jesus went to prepare a place for you on the other side! There’s more to this thing than the death we all experience in our lives! And Bro. McCarty after 97 years God said it’s time… and when God says its time for you; you got to be ready with your passport of salvation to spend eternity with Jesus!

Going to a place where there is no more death, disease, or destruction.

No more pain, no more problems, and no more polarized politics.

No more sorrow, no more sickness, and no more sadness

No more frienimies, fakes, or frauds!

Bro. McCarty is on the other side… You’ve got to make it to the other side!

The other side of death for the believer is eternal life with Jesus!