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I am writing this article after attending the home going service for Robert Mac Forbes. It was not a funeral, but a home going celebration; there were no empty eulogies, but heartfelt words; no sad farewells, but an openly, unashamed “See Ya’ Later” for a preacher who showed us the way to Jesus.
I have been to a great deal of funerals in my lifetime, both as a preacher and as an attendee; as a speaker and as a funeral director. But I would have to say this service held at Goodwater Baptist Church on May 18, was a fitting and timely tribute to man who heard the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” on Sunday evening when he closed his eyes down here on this earth and opened his new eyes in heaven above. Rev. Billy Hardman, Rev. Bill Grissom, and Rev. Joe Vain each contributed greatly to reminding us of Bro. Mac’s service among us and his contributions to the kingdom.
Not only did Bro. Mac serve as pastor-churches in Coosa County-and as a missionary in New York City, he also served the whole of Coosa County. He never met a stranger, was always ready to make a new friend, and never failed to share the message of hope and life found in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone.
He was a student of the Bible. He was constantly studying and reading, as he sought to live out the verse, “Be ready, in season and out of season.” It was during the last month or two, Bro. Mac was praying for another opportunity to preach the Word from the pulpit. As a member of Goodwater Church, he was always ready to help his pastor, Bro. Joe, with his sermon’s, mostly after the fact, asking why he did not include this example or that point in his most recent sermon.
Through out the last few months, Bro. Mac struggled with his declining health. He made his last trip to worship a few weeks ago, dragging along his oxygen tank with him. Last week, while making some visits, I stopped in his hospital room for a quick visit. His eyes were bright, but his body was failing. We were not able to talk; he was having a very hard time breathing as he coughed. When I asked him if I could pray, he took my hand and I felt him agreeing, not with words but with a gentle squeeze. After I said amen, he threw the sheet back and said, “I’m ready to go home now.” Gently, patiently I advised him it was best to stay still and cover back up and wait…
Walking toward the elevator it dawned on me: Bro. Mac was reminding me that he was going home. He was going to a place, not built by human hands, but a place built for him by Father God. A home place he secured many years before, where friends and family awaited him for a grand reunion time. He was going to a new home, he would have a new address and he would have a new body. The coughing would stop; the pain would be over; there would be no more hospital stays. There would be no more doctors and nurses; no more pain and suffering; no more tears and sorrow; it would be a home where everything is made new.
As I rolled these things through my mind and heart, I heard scripture; words I have spoken before, but at that moment took on a whole new and exciting meaning.
The first one was the words of the Lord Jesus, recorded by the Apostle John: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3 KJV)
The second was from the Revelation: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:4-5 KJV)
We will see Bro. Mac again! Those of us who know Christ in the free pardon of sin will see him, but the one I will be looking for is the One who gave life to Bro. Mac and to me. Paul said, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation…No one who believes on Him will be put to shame…For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10: 9-10, 11,13 HCSB)
Confess Him as Savior, today!

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