An epitaph is a memorial inscription. Over the years, after either attending a funeral or having preached someone’s funeral, I have walked through the cemetery to pay attention to the oldest grave marker there and also to notice the different epitaphs inscribed on the tombstones. I have often wondered how different those words would read if God was the one who briefly summarized each life by inscribing an epitaph on each tombstone.
On the humorous side, I am reminded of the story of the man who had too much to drink and had decided he would take a short cut home. His wanderings led him through the local cemetery late at night. He stumbled upon a grave, fell down and passed out. When he awakened the next morning, he lifted his eyes to read these words from the tombstone. “As I am now, someday you soon shall be, so prepare yourself to follow me.” He thought on those words for a little while, and then he took a marker from his coat pocket and scribbled underneath the epitaph his own words. “To follow you, I am not content, until I find out which way you went.”
Seriously, all of us need to be more concerned about what is going to become of us when this life is over (Job 14:14; 19:25-27; 1 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)!
Good Epitaphs
Jesus – A good summary of his life is found in Acts 10:38. He “went about doing good.” We should strive to be like our Lord. We should try to be more like Him day by day. When our work here on earth is done, people should truly be able to say of us it was a better world because this person lived in it. Jesus left us a good example, and we are to strive to walk in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Why not leave this as an epitaph for your life? “This person went about doing good.”
Dorcas – “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). When she died “all the widows stood by Peter weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (9:39). What about leaving this as an epitaph, “This person was full of good works. _____ truly cared for others.”
Enoch and Noah – It is said of these two men in Genesis 5:22 and 6:9 that they walked with God. What a fine tribute to pay to a man. Wouldn’t that be a great epitaph? Each of us should be striving to live in such a way that when it comes our time to leave this old world in death, that others can truly say of us as well, “_______ walked with God” (1 John 1:7). We must first enter into Christ and then walk in Christ, so that we may die in Christ (Revelation 14:13).
Paul – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
All faithful Christians now deceased – “Asleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Look forward to the Lord’s return and the great resurrection day (1 Corinthians 15).
