O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

We didn't make it in time to see John. Before we left, on Friday morning, Malliga had called, sounding relieved and hopeful, and saying that he was conscious again and getting better. On the road to Ipoh, we got the news that he had passed away about 11 a.m. So we stayed back for the service at 7.30 and drove back there again on Saturday for the funeral service at 3 p.m.

Only 59, but his body had been abused through years of diseases (diabetes, schizophrenia) and heavy smoking. The pastor said that now John is in heaven, running around, maybe kicking a ball. Whatever his failings and shortcomings, John had believed fiercely in God and Jesus. He had sought the truth, argued, debated and quarrelled with men and with God too, I think, about many things, but he believed Jesus died for him.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Jesus said and asked of Martha, the sister of the dead Lazarus, and of each one of us. Do you believe this? John had answered Yes, just like Martha. So I think the pastor is right.

Paul wrote on the resurrection of the dead: "The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." ( 1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

Imagine, John with a brand new body, set free from his sufferings, in a place where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain, where the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 21: 1-4)

So there were a few tears, especially for Malliga and Nisha, their 13 year old daughter, and especially at the sight of his body in the coffin, but there was a peace that passes understanding and hope and much singing of joyful songs. He had wanted happy songs at his funeral and he got it, in Tamil mostly and in English.