THE DAY ELVIS DIED
READ HEBREWS 4:14-16
I remember the day Elvis Presley died; August 17, 1977. I was working at a bridal salon inside a shopping mall in Florence, Kentucky. When the news of his death broke, our store manager, who was a devoted Elvis fan, began crying uncontrollably. She had to leave work early because she was so distraught.
The rest of us at the store were saddened by the news, but it didn’t affect us like it did her. We were not in love with Elvis as much as she obviously was. During his career, his fans dubbed him “King.” He held that sacred place in the hearts of millions and, for some of them, the world stopped that day.
Fast forward, on Thursday January 12, 2023, Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of Elvis and Pricilla Presley, died of cardiac arrest. She was only 54 years old. Five months prior to her death, she published an essay in People Magazine, baring her soul about the haunting grief she suffered from her son’s suicide death at age 27.
In her essay she wrote, “Death is part of life whether we like it or not— and so is grieving. Grief does not stop or go away, a year or so after the loss. Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life…You do not ‘get over it,’ you do not ‘move on,’ period…Nothing, absolutely NOTHING takes away the pain but finding support can help you feel a little bit less alone.” [1]
Losing a child from suicide or any other cause is probably the most devastating tragedy a doting parent can experience. In her article, Lisa Marie said she beat herself up daily, blaming herself for her son’s death. No doubt it took a horrible toll on her conscience.
Any death of a loved one is painfully hard, leaving an indelible mark on us. I was close to my mother and was her primary caregiver when she was older. After she died, I felt like I lost my right arm. There was an unmistakable void that could never again be filled.
As Lisa Marie noted, emptiness and loneliness set in whenever someone close to us dies. We are used to having that parent, child, spouse, sibling, or best friend. We hear their voices, feel them, do things with them and for them; then suddenly they are gone. Permanency is the sting of death that is soul-shattering. There is no reversal, no going back, just stone-cold silence on the other side.
Our lot is that death is relentlessly cruel. Facing this, the question for the survivor becomes; Will you allow grief to cripple you? Will you let your heartache stop you from living and take you to an early grave as in Lisa Marie’s case?
To answer that, I want to gently insert another question. Is it true that, as Lisa Marie wrote, “Nothing, absolutely NOTHING” will ever take away the pain? I can say with certainty that there is help for our troubled hearts beyond human kindness and support. Let’s find out where that help begins.
John Chapter 11 begins with the dire sickness of Lazarus, the dear brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany. These siblings were known to host Jesus and His Disciples when they were in town. Jesus grew so close to them that He was like a family member. The sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, counting on Him to come heal their brother.
Instead, Jesus delayed His trip two days until He knew that Lazarus was dead. This seemed odd to the Disciples. Jesus knew, however, that this illness was designated to reveal the glory of God. He said to the wondering Disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep.” (John 11:11) Then Jesus clarified His term “sleep.” “Lazarus is dead…but let us go to him.” He told them plainly. (John 11: 14-15)
When they arrived in Bethany, Martha ran to meet Jesus saying that if He had come sooner, her brother would not have died. Her sister Mary was so grieved that she did not leave the house. Jesus responded to Martha: “Your brother shall rise again.” (John 11:23) Martha agreed about the bodily resurrection of all who believe someday.
Jesus countered her again. Yes, someday, and also now. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11: 25-26) Yes, she said, she believed.
Jesus went to the home of Martha and Mary. He saw the grieving household along with Jewish friends of the family. People all around Him were stricken from the loss of a brother, a favorite host and friend, crying inconsolably. Jesus was deeply moved and wept alongside them.
Although Jesus knew the outcome of this purposeful death, He was not unsympathetic to the mourners. Sifting through a myriad of emotions, Jesus used the moment to steel Himself against man’s paramount enemy—Death.
Composing Himself, He asked them, “Where have you laid him?” (John 11: 34) They led Him to a cave with a stone covering the entrance. They protested that there would be an awful stench since Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus insisted, “Did I not say to you, if you believe you will see the glory of God?” (vs 35) They obeyed Him and removed the stone. Jesus cried out in a loud voice for everyone in the crowd to hear, “Lazarus, come forth!” In an incredible frightening moment, the dead brother appeared and walked out of the cave wrapped in his grave cloths.
“Unbind him and let him go.” (John 11:44) He said. The news of the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus traveled throughout the area. Some people believed when they heard, and others did not. Regardless, Jesus used this death and bodily resurrection for God’s glory, pointing to Himself as the sole Conqueror of Death, The Resurrection and the Life.
Going back to our question if NOTHING removes the pain of death, this scene proves that the risen Christ can cradle our hearts if we let Him. John 11:26 assures us, “and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall not die.” His message was for the living. God will not allow our hearts to die alongside our dear departed one. The memory of the death will always remain, but not the debilitating pain, guilt and heartache. This may seem impossible, but that is what the miracle in John 11 qualified Jesus to do. Now the question is; Do you believe this?
The writer of Hebrews celebrates Jesus as our High Priest, established by God to act as our intermediary to dispense help and healing to people. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses…Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
During our darkest times of profound grief, we need to look up and see Jesus, who is willing to comfort and console us. We do not have to go through those times alone. He will inhabit our emptiness and loneliness with His presence and peace. Then, in an inexplicable way, we will stand up against Death and say resolutely, “O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
[1] People Magazine, January 30, 2023
