The first four books of the New Testament are called "The gospel of ..." indicating the authorship as each writer tells the story of Jesus Christ. Each writer was not concerned of themselves (John would write in the third person) but rather telling the story of Jesus. Today I learned of the "Gospel of Daniel." The "gospel" is the "God's spell", i. e. word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers [Easton's Bible Dictionary]. This morning I shared with a large host of people gathered in Trilachochee, Florida the story of Daniel Gates, son of Chuck & Pat Gates. Daniel died at the age of 33 this week (Tuesday). He was born with a heart defect that would challenge him his whole life as well as his devoted father, mother and older brother. This was truly a memorial service and to Daniel's wishes was not so much about him as it was about the one he loved more than anyone else - Jesus Christ. However, woven within the threads of each man's talk on the manner of Daniel's impact on their lives, everyone gained a deep sense of Daniel's deep and abiding love for his Lord.
The gospel of Daniel is the oft told story of the life of a saint - who facing hardship with every waking day - lives with the hope of promise of a land where there is no pain nor sorrow. He gained his wish this week when he slipped the bonds of this mortal life for the caress of angels wings unto the bosom of Abraham. For 33 years he loved life and lived it to the fullest portion granted him by a merciful Father. His parents spent endless and untold hours in hospitals, doctor offices, clinics, medical facilities of every known kind giving their boy life. Nathan, his older brother, gave his life in devotion to be with his brother. Yet each person that came to know Daniel found that while his life was fleeting he was giving life to everyone else. As spoken today, he exemplified Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Daniel did not blame God but thanked God for the mercy, grace and love given to him each day. Daniel did not look at life through the cruel eyes of despair but through the tender eyes of a Savior who suffered Himself. Daniel love life even when life was not kind to him. Daniel loved God.
I learned so much today that I will spend many hours reading the gospel of Daniel. His brother Nathan read an impassioned and moving story of his brother. In the next few weeks it is hoped Nathan's thoughts will be posted on his mother's website http://www.ourhopeonline.com and you can share in the gospel of Daniel. You will be challenged by what you read. The message is one of the most powerful stories you will read - not because it is about Daniel - but because it is about a young man who loved God with all his heart, his soul, his mind and remarkably his strength.
Daniel was more of an evangelist than I. Through his story I have learned the true worth of life is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. I am ashamed of my feeble and lacking efforts. In his affliction he shared the soothing ointment of God's love to those he came in contact with. The good news of his gospel is the gospel of good news he wanted so desperately to share with others.
To Chuck, thank you for showing me how to be a husband, father, Christian and a holy man who loves God. To Pat, your courage is beyond the bounds of understanding as you face your own trials and yet you seek the welfare of others. You are far above rubies as a wife, mother, Christian and a holy woman who loves God. To Nathan, as said today, "a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). No brother has ever shown the meaning of brotherly love as you have towards Daniel. Thank you for your example of faith as a man - a man of God in every way.
We can only imagine what Daniel is looking at right now. Wow. Praise God!
2 comments:
No Kent, you are no less of an evangelist than Danny - you have just demonstrated your resemblance of Christ by revealing your humble and loving heart. These words show a selfless attitude that seeks to know God by continually examining himself and honestly seeking to be more like Him. However, you don't stop there, you share your new exciting revelation with others. That, indeed, is a great evangelist!
I agree with you about my brother; he was most definitely an evangelist! Although he never received a dime for his spiritual efforts - in fact, became poorer as a result of helping others - he put so many men who wear the title to shame. He put me to shame; yet, he was so patient with those who had not yet come to realize the treasures of sharing love. As I said in my memorial, he was my older brother spiritually and he has left me a path to follow leading to our Heavenly home.
I can't wait to be with all the souls basking in the rays of God's Life! But, I will continue enjoying to tell a dead generation about the peaceful fellowship of true Life and provide hope to souls who feel as empty as death.
May the grace of God be with you Kent!
In Love.
Nathan
Nathan,
Your brother was a true Pathfinder - blazing a trail for the rest of us to follow. May the Lord raise up more people with the heart of David and the spirit of Paul to help save a lost and dying world. God bless you brother and your family.
kent
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