Today, the world is responding to the sudden death of Dr. Jerry Falwell. I have been blessed and encouraged by the enormous outpouring of love, sympathy and admiration from thousands of Dr. Falwell's supporters. Blogs and web sites are filled with tributes from the multitudes who were positively impacted by this Giant of the Faith.
This is a strange observation - but I have been equally blessed by the words of his enemies. Now, don't misunderstand - the death of Dr. Falwell did not creat a love feast on the Far Left - either politically or theologically. I watched as much of the main-stream media's coverage of his death as possible. There was an ocassional kind word, a mild compliment here and there as to his life and accomplishments - but the overwhelming majority of the time was spent magnifying his failures and demonizing his legacy. A spokeswoman from Air America spoke with complete disdain about Dr. Falwell's position on Homosexuality. Another laughed about the well-publicized Teletubbie comments. Guest after guest referred to him as "divisive", "bigoted", "hateful", "biased",
"polarizing" with an ocassional acknowledgement of his incredible influence. I watched one entire segment on CNN where there was not a single friend or supporter of Dr. Falwell quoted or interviewed. As I watched this jaded, slanted presentation of this great man's legacy I found myself filling with anger - until. Until I began thinking about the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
Among the other wonderful things that Jesus taught in this majestic sermon - he said:
Mt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Now, take a look at those verses and look at the life and ministry of Jerry Falwell. I was told many years ago that you can tell more about a man from his enemies than from his friends. There is a lot of truth to that. As the pundits and talking heads were venting their anger and expressing their disgust for Dr. Falwell I realized that he was truly a "Beatitudes Man".
There are many ways the life and ministry of Jerry Falwell could be summarized - but allow me to offer this - those who hated God, His Word and his plan, hated Jerry Falwell. Those who loved God, His Word and His plan, loved Jerry Falwell. Who could ask for more?
