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A Death in the Family
Yesterday in a cemetery outside of Rome, Gabriele Fosci was laid to rest after a brief graveside service. He was the 35 year old son of Francesco and Rita Fosci, who have faithfully worked with the Latina church of Christ for many years, and have been supported by the West End church of Christ for much of that time. Gabriele passed away after an extended battle with brain cancer. He was a fine person, a faithful Christian, and a blessing to all who knew him.
I have never been a great proponent of speaking for the dead. However, since hearing of Gabriele’s death last Friday I have been reminded of some of Joshua’s last words in Joshua 23:14-16. I hope that I may be forgiven for using some of Joshua’s words as expressing thoughts that, knowing Gabriele, I believe he might share with us if he could speak to us today.
Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, (Josh. 23:14a)
- Nothing strange is happening here. All people, except those alive at Christ’s coming, die (Heb. 9:27). While Joshua’s life was 110 years long and Gabriele’s a mere 35 years, death comes to all. Therefore all, no matter how young, should prepare for death and judgment.
And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. (Josh.23:14b).
- God was good to Joshua, and God was also good to Gabriele. From the book of Exodus to the end of the book of Joshua we can read of God’s blessings to Joshua and Israel. Gabriele was blessed with a godly spiritual heritage. His grandfather, Mario, was one of the first elders appointed in modern Italy. His father, Francesco, continues to be a faithful gospel preacher. He was also blessed with a devoted mother, Rita, and a loving sister, Luana. His greatest blessing, however, was that he was a faithful Christian and thus died with the blessed hope of eternal life in Christ.
It shall come about that just as all the good words which the Lord your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God has given you. When you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you. (Joshua 23:15-16)
- Joshua wanted the occasion of his death to cause the Israelites to examine their lives and consequent behavior in light of judgment. I am sure that Gabriele would not mind his death being the occasion for all to examine themselves in light of eternity. In Ecclesiastes 7:2 we are told that death can cause us all to contemplate “the end of every man” and “take it to heart.” As we grieve with Gabriele’s family and remember them in our prayers, let us allow the premature death of this good young man to make us all weigh the brevity of life, the certainty of judgment, and live more godly lives.
