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Many Christian men and women have died early. Too soon, some would say. They were great. They were young. The examples in Scripture and Church History are endless.

Abel obeyed God but was murdered by his brother. Stephen was stoned mid-sermon. Our Lord was crucified at 33. Most of the apostles died soon after the death of their Savior.

Clement, early defender of the faith, had an anchor tied around his throat and was thrown overboard. Cyprian was beheaded. Chrysostom, in the heyday of his preaching ministry, was force-marched to death. William Tyndale, amidst translating the Bible, was burnt at the stake.

Matthew Henry died before he could finish his commentary. David Brainerd died of tuberculosis at 29 while doing missionary work among the Indians. Jerusha Edwards, daughter of Jonathan and caretaker of Brainerd, died soon after at 17.

The Lord took Robert Murray M’Cheyne to Heaven at age 29. Henry Martyn, having spent years learning Middle Eastern languages, expired at age 32. John Paton’s wife was only nineteen when she left all to reach the cannibals. She died just months later. James Gilmore was just hitting his stride in Mongolia when he died at 47. The Auca Indians speared to death Jim Elliot was he was only 28. Continue reading →