Jeremiah Thomas, the prolife teen who used his Make-a-Wish to ask for an end of abortion in the state of Texas, has died at the age of 16.LiveActionNews.com is reporting on the death of the teen which was announced on Facebook on August 26 by his father, Rusty Thomas.
“Warrior Down! Jeremiah has finished the last lap of the race of faith. He crossed the finish line at 7:20 PM. The battle is over and Christ has won. He lived well for His Lord and died even better for Him,” Thomas wrote.
He went on to quote from Scripture: “Death where is thy sting and grave where is thy victory? Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life! To Him be glory without end.”
Jeremiah, who was an all-star state champion athlete, was diagnosed with osteoblastic osteosarcoma, a cancer that is particularly resistant to radiation therapy and has a survival rate of just 10 percent. Two tumors on his spine rendered him paralyzed from the waist down during the last months of his life.
In spite of the pain he was in, the teen never lost sight of the cause he had spent his life fighting for – an end to abortion. The son of Rusty Thomas, National Director of the powerful pro-life organization, Operation Rescue, Jeremiah was approved with the Make a Wish Foundation and decided to ask for a “legacy wish” rather than for something for himself. Specifically, he asked for a phone call with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to request passage of a law that would abolish abortion in his state.
His request was granted and the historic call with Governor Abbott was recorded.
“For my wish, I wanted to talk with you and discuss a bill of abolition,” Jeremiah told the governor. “A recent poll showed that 68 percent of Texans want abortion abolished, so Sir, you’d be representing the demand of Texans if you passed this bill. In conclusion, we just want you to treat abortion like an act of murder and it should be punished by law. For my wish, I just wanted to say that to you […] We could end abortion here now and at least for me, it would make my wish complete before I pass.”
Governor Abbott, who is staunchly pro-life, told him that he had just returned from the state Republican party convention where his wish was discussed.
“Your wish is on the Republican party platform position,” the governor confirmed, “and that’s what we’re going to be pursuing this next legislative session, that is to outlaw abortion altogether in the state of Texas. And so your wish is granted.”
Jeremiah let out a triumphant “Yes!” when he heard the news.
But not everyone was pleased with his last wish and, for a time, he was besieged by cyberbullies who leveled cruel taunts against the dying teen on social media.
“Cancer is giving your mom a late term abortion. Lmao [laughing my a– off],” one message said.
Another wrote: “Thank god this cancer is terminal. Don’t want someone so oppressive, sexist, and backwards thinking walking around, living, breathing my air.”
Jeremiah took it all in stride and forgave his tormenters. “I pity them,” he told his mother. “To have that much darkness in your heart that you’d want a kid with cancer to die. Makes me wonder what happened to them in their life. It’s a scary place to be - mentally and spiritually. I pray God would have mercy on them’.”
He added: “Feels good to be hated for Christ. Feels like I’m actually doing something.”
According to his sister, Destiny, Jeremiah suffered much in the end. The family’s Facebook page shows a picture of the barely conscious teen gripping a post above his head in a vain attempt to breath as his lungs filled with blood and fluid.
“In those moments, we couldn’t help but think of our Lord who struggled for every breath he had when he died on the cross for us,” she wrote. “This fight was torturous, not just physically but for the hearts [of] those of us sitting beside him watching him. It’s hard to describe the feeling of watching someone you love deeply drown in their own body.”
When her brother finally passed into the arms of the Lord he loved, she wrote: “Jeremiah, you not only lived well, you died even better. You fought to the VERY END and there really aren’t significant words to express the deep admiration I have for you. I’m thankful I got to witness you, a champion and hero pass into Jesus’ arms. You’re what movies are made of! What an honor it is to be your sister.”
She added: “I’m sure you’re looking down at us and giving us your thumbs up with a big smile saying ‘I did it’.”
The unborn may have lost a champion here on earth, but they now have a powerful advocate in heaven.
Jeremiah Thomas, may you rest in eternal peace.
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