Sunday 22 November 2009

Constable Bill Barker, a good and faithful servant

In Matthew, Chapter 24, and in Luke, Chapter 12, we read of the servants who are carrying out the work their Master has given them, in readiness for His return. They are waiting expectantly for Him, so that they can open the door to Him as soon as He knocks. Happy the servants who are awake and busy about their work when He arrives. “I tell you solemnly, He will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them”; He will place his conscientious servant “over everything He owns.”

Truly, we do not know the moment; none of us knows. Police Constable Bill Barker was married, and had four children. He died the day before his 45th birthday. He was doing his duty. He was standing on a bridge, in the town of Workington, in the north-west of England. The bridge was crumbling before the onslaught of the torrent of a river in flood. He was warning drivers and pedestrians to keep away from it. And suddenly it collapsed, and he was swept to his death. His Master had arrived, and had found him busy about his work. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for his widow and his children, in the shock and grief of their loss.

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