Two Deaths-One Lesson Learned, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 109

Two Deaths-One Lesson Learned

By

Roger Behra

The gruesome murder of swimsuit model, Jasmine Fiore, and the suicide hanging of “smooth operator”, Ryan Jenkins, has been captivating and very much in the news and the print media since August 15, 2009. Jasmine's body was found in a trash bin, and Ryan's body was found several days later hanging in a closet in a motel room in Vancouver, Canada. The deaths were tragic and the whole episode senseless. Two young people's lives wasted.

The violent and tragic death of Jasmine and the suicide death of Ryan are very sad, indeed. The murder of Jasmine was at the hands of a man who used his very violent temper in a fit of jealousy was very gruesome. Her nose was broken. She was strangled. Her finger tips were cut off so her identity would not be dis¬covered. Her remains were crammed in a small suitcase and deposited in a trash dumpster. From this whole episode there is a very important lesson to learn and remember, and true Christians will, indeed, understand very clearly.

Because of the sudden and violent situation that arose and Jasmine's struggle to protect herself, she had no chance to have any last minute reconciliation with God. At the last minute she was very likely not spiritually prepared for her eternal life that came upon her so suddenly. That was the most tragic part.

In Ryan's case he had the chance to express sorrow and ask God for His for¬giveness, which Ryan might have done. But Ryan had to ask God to forgive all hls life's transgressions and then decide to take any legal punishment due him. The chances are otherwise. He most probably threw away any reconciliation he gained when he took his own life. After he died, there was no chance for any reconciliation for his suicide. That also was the most tragic part. The end for Jasmine and Ryan spiritually considering does not at all seem possible, but God as their judge only knows for sure.

Whether anyone wants to recognize and admit or not, the bottom line in every¬one's life is this. Did everyone live a life pleasing to God and then die in His friendship, which is most important, in the end to be happy with God for all eternity? In the end we are judged, and every thought, word, and action counts. Nothing is lost in time in eternity. And according to the news reports, the life styles of Jasmine and Ryan were very questionable spiritually considering. All Christian thinking and living people can understand this, and they realize the one most important lesson learned is to constantly live life pleasing to God and die in His friendship. Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive and have that final and most important grace from our loving God and Savior.

ADDENDUM
The same lesson can be learned from the death of Michael Jackson. He died without the chance for reconciliation with God during his last moments. When Michael went to sleep, he fully expected to wake up and continue his life. So reconciliation was far from his mind. His death was a double tragedy it seems.

R.B.
9-8-09