(Image of Bo at the GAP survival retreat–April 2025)
The painful, settled sting of loss presses down suffocatingly, yet provokes indignation, even amid solid and unshakable joy and hope. To be sure, this pain is not with resignation nor apathetic indifference to circumstances outside of God’s transcendent sovereignty. No, neither is it ambivalence masked as spirituality. This is agitated anger. This is a stern stare at sin and death. This is looking at the empty chair and remembering life…and then death. This is a loss in its ignominious display. However, we are not left without an Example and Pioneer.
Example
Jesus helps us understand how to process death. Indeed, John reported in his gospel that two times as Jesus approached the grave of Lazarus, He was deeply moved: (1) “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled…” and (2) “Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb” (John 11:33, 38 ESV, emphasis mine).
These two words are actually one word in the Greek, meaning to be agitated, to warn sternly, rebuke harshly, or express indignation*. Jesus looked at the pain death had caused the friends and family of Lazarus, as well as the tomb where Lazarus’ corpse lay, and He was outraged. The bitter and painful sting of sin’s venom had pierced humanity, riddling it once again, lifeless, and Jesus was expressing His deep and internal anger.
Jesus is our example. Death is a curse.
Pioneer
Truly, if it were not for Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, humanity would be without joy and hope. It was Jesus, the Pioneer of the Christian faith, who became a man, lived in this broken world, died mercilessly, and rose from the grave to be the Forerunner, Substitute, and Advocate for all those who by grace through faith trust Him for their salvation from sin and death. Jesus faced death with joy because He knew the fruit it would produce.
Indeed, the author of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:1-3, ESV).
Jesus is our Pioneer. Death does not win.
Life-to-Life
And now, it is with great solemnity, being deeply moved, that I report that our brother in Christ, Bo Rozell, has passed from this life to the next—he is home with our Lord. His questions answered—his faith sight.
Throughout Bo’s sudden AML diagnosis and subsequent battle this fall/winter, I visited him on multiple occasions throughout this very brief journey. Some visits were at the hospital and some at his home. Every time, he was the same, his outlook was clear, his resolve fixed, and his will unbreakable: he remained ever confident, maintaining a sense of humor and steadiness. These three qualities capture the heart of a young man many were privileged to know, love, and share life with.
Confident
It did not matter if Bo was giving a public presentation or talking with a stranger; Bo had swagger. This was not arrogance; it was confidence. I admired this quality in Bo. He did not look down on others, maintaining this edge, but neither did he run from challenging situations. I remember one time, at the end of Bo’s gap-year program, he shaved his head as part of a presentation/skit. No hesitation. No second-guessing. No worry about what others thought of him. Just confidence.
But, Bo wasn’t just confident; he also had a sense of humor.
Sense of Humor
Back to the shaving of his head, Bo smiled and laughed the entire time. Not a nervous laugh, but a genuine laugh, along with a smile that was oblivious to others’ perspectives on his new hair length. But this was how Bo always carried himself. He smiled a lot, pulled out dad jokes incessantly that he got and didn’t care if you did, and would still be smiling. Speaking of his smile, Bo had an inviting smile, and he loved to share it and his laughter with those around him.
Not only was Bo confident, carrying with him an authentic estimation of himself, but he was steady.
Steady
Steadiness is not a trait often characteristic of youth. The reason is not age but experience. Life has a way of pressing out of us the wrinkles of optimism, causing some to become bitter and others to become steady. Bo was the latter–he was solid.
He had already fought through one cancer battle and won. Death and life to Bo were not abstract concepts but familiar considerations. Yet, it was not his first battle with cancer that he beat that made Bo steady. Bo was steady because he understood certain things about himself, God, and others, which made him a man of his word and discipline.
The result? Bo was dependable. We all knew that he would finish what he started.
Final Words
Bo was not given a long life, but he had a full one.
He has passed from this momentary life to his eternal life.
He’s home.
And so, we who remain, look at death with indignation–this ought not be. Yet, also with resolve. For our great Pioneer has defeated death. He is risen. And so, in the face of pain, loss, and deep, unalterable sadness, we say, “Come, Lord Jesus, and hold us fast until then.”
Amen. Amen.
We will see you directly, Bo. Soon and very soon.