For anyone who hadn’t appreciated that the late US President Jimmy Carter was a Christian with a deep faith and love for God, his funeral service on 9 January has left no doubt.
The BBC currently has a programme on famous names who died in 2023 called Lives Well Lived. The typical worldly measure of a life well lived is their achievements, wealth accumulation, status, and doing good. Viewers of Jimmy Carter’s funeral service and its attendees were offered a far more valuable measure of a life well lived: a higher godly standard.
Jimmy Carter, former Sunday school teacher, Navy officer, nuclear scientist and 39th US president, died in December aged 100. Carter’s life was one ‘well lived’ both in public and in private as an evangelical Christian with an authentic, living faith observed by all he came into contact with.
While outgoing president Joe Biden insipidly described, in his eulogy, Carter as a man of integrity and faith - the president’s grandson Jason Carter, himself a Christian, provided the substance.
He testified that his grandfather’s life was, from the moment he woke up until he laid down his head at night, ‘a testament to the goodness of God’. He was, added Jason, the same man in public office as he was in private. His grandparents lived, as the Bible says, 'to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with their God.'
Jimmy Carter and his late wife Rosalynn were said to read the Scriptures each night before they went to sleep – in English and in Spanish (to maintain their Spanish language skills).
Jason told of how his grandfather spoke out against dictators, mass incarceration, gave voices to dissidents and brought countries together in peace. But he said Jimmy’s heart broke for the people of Israel; and his heart broke for the people of Gaza. ‘He spent his life trying to bring peace to that holy land. He talked about it at the dinner table… He lived out that love and faith,’ he added.
Gerald Ford's son also delivered a eulogy - written personally by his late father (who served as president prior to Carter in the 70s) before his death in 2006. They were old friends. In President Ford’s words, Carter’s faith brought integrity to the presidency: "I’ll never lie to you”, he said. He displayed honesty throughout his life... honesty was part of his very soul.’
All five living presidents and other world leaders attended the celebration of Jimmy Carter’s life. Many more of whom the world considers ‘the great and the good’ also listened to the Scriptures read; they heard or sang theologically-rich hymns - including a stunning rendition of Eternal Father Strong to Save, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name and Amazing Grace.
We should pray that incoming President Donald Trump - as well as his predecessors and all who witnessed the service - might also be stirred by Jimmy Carter’s Lord and Saviour, to a true and living faith clearly evident in private and in public office. What a final legacy that would be.
