At the Deathbed

When a person knows that he is near death, there may be some final business to transact, such as those seeking reconciliation or a final word of encouragement or instruction. When nothing else physically speaking can be retrieved in a case of someone dying, sometimes something spiritual can. Teaching at the end can be potent. Thomas Hooker, a formerly well-known Puritan pastor of Connecticut, on his death bed was asked, "Sir, you are going to receive the reward of all your labours." He answered, "Brother, I am going to receive mercy." At his death, my father's last words were, "My cup runneth over." A summary for the entire family, who knows it to be true, to reflect on for ourselves. For the likes of that, in pursuit sometimes of the last full second of life, we have notably unmemorable deathbed scenes from the ICU: "Is that a flat line?" "Set it at 300 joules." "Another amp of bicarb." "Let's check the ET tube placement."


Excerpts from Physician and Pastor: Co-Laborers