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Octogenarian Jenis James Grindstaff had read the Bible for quite some time, but he had never been baptized. Yet, suffering from terminal cancer, he wanted to demonstrate his belief in Jesus not only to the hospice staff, but to his family as well.
On Dec. 11, the Navy veteran from South Carolina was transported from Spartansburg Regional Medical Center to an assisted living facility where Chaplain Terrell Jones was waiting.
“He wanted full immersion,” Jones told Fox News. “He said, ‘I don’t want sprinkles,'”
However, Grindstaff couldn’t be lowered into a traditional baptismal pool because of his medical issues. So Spartansburg Regional brought in a special 60-gallon tub designed to assist with patients who can’t get in and out of traditional baths.
Dressed in a white t-shirt, the YouTube video shows Grindstaff being dunked, as water is poured over his head. Grindstaff’s family members — who are behind the camera — clap and cheer at the end of the baptism.
It reminds me of the Bible story from Mark 2 which recalled a time when Jesus was preaching. A paralyzed man wanted to see Jesus, but it was too crowded for him to enter the building. So his friends cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down so the man could encounter Jesus.
Mr. Grindstaff didn’t need to be baptized in order to receive forgiveness for his sins and to enjoy the promise of eternal life. He knew that, but did it anyway to send a message to those who knew him.
Baptism is simply an outward sign of an internal decision. It is like formally drawing a line in the sand and walking across it to follow Jesus in a way that publicly demonstrates to others that the faith of the person being baptized is genuine.
This story also reminds me of a dear friend who was a die-hard atheist her entire life. Her daughter kept trying to share the need to accept the forgiveness of sins and promise of eternal life that Jesus offers to his followers. Yet, she would become quite agitated whenever the topic came up.
However, a few days before she died, she put her faith in Jesus, and left this earth at peace while clutching a seashell used to pour water over the bed-ridden woman.
Remember, as long as you are still among the living, it is never to late to accept Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness for everything you may have done that you regret.
If you’re unsure of how to accept that gift, feel free to email me at greg@greggerber.com.
