When Christians gather for the funeral of a fellow believer in the faith, a singular moment, unlike any other, takes place. For in such a moment is the coming together of heaven and earth. The physical remains of someone whom God has called home connect the saints here with the saints in heaven. For the saints of God stand on both sides of the river of Death.
From the Lord’s house on this side of heaven, we confess and sing the Faith because another person whom Jesus has redeemed has conquered the last foe–death! And our songs receive a resounding echo on the other side of Death, where the saints in heaven have sung their songs to welcome another member into the Father’s eternal house.
As we think about Chuck, our brother now in the Church Triumphant, and for our own comfort, I speak again to you these words from Jesus:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be also. You know where I am going, and you know the way.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
If it’s true that no one comes to the God the Father except through Jesus, and it is, then God had work to do! And He did it. This work of God was a most-serious task that no one could do except God Himself. And so Jesus left the Father’s house to be born a human. He became God and man in one being. He came to give us hope in the face of death, of what Chuck’s ashes now boldly proclaim before us.
The river of Death is toxic from its source: sin. And it’s that sin that separates us from eternal life with God. Sin will keep us from being in our Father’s house in heaven. And the power of sin is so strong that no one can make it into God’s eternal house through his own efforts. This includes both you and me.
Only in Jesus do we have hope. For the strength of our bodies will fail us. Our wealth will be found wanting. Even our good deeds are too sullied with sin to do us any good. Apart from Jesus Christ, all our efforts are empty and end in devastating and eternal defeat.
Yet, know this: The cross of Jesus Christ has paid for the sins of the entire world. The cross of Christ has spanned the river of Death to take those who trust in Him to the other side. That’s where the Father’s house is.
2,000 years ago, Jesus’ dead body was placed in a tomb of death. But on the third day, Jesus left the tomb, showing that death no longer could hold Him. And if death can’t hold Jesus, then it can’t hold those whom He calls His own, including Chuck Kelsey. As Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Chuck knew that. That’s what he believed. That’s what he confessed, week in and week out, when he returned to His Father’s house after Bonnie had died. And he came to God’s house regularly until his health hindered him from coming. When Chuck was at Church, he would confess: I believe in God the Father . . . I believe in God the Son. . . I believe in God the Holy Spirit.
Years ago, God the Holy Spirit worked faith in Chuck’s heart through the preached Word, and still again through the Word in the waters of holy baptism when he 12 years old (1 Peter 3:21). And it’s the same faith that kept him all these years, as he would come to Church, as he would fall away, and as he again returned.
How comforting to know that it was the Lord who was holding him during all the times of his life–even during his last, few minutes. Those of you who believe in Jesus as your Rescuer from sin, death, and hell, you have the same hope and assurance as Chuck did–and does! You will see Chuck again–in heaven!
All who believe in Jesus–whether infant or aged, whether awake or asleep, whether suffering from Alzheimer’s or from a heart attack–can take comfort knowing that the Lord upholds and keeps us in the one, true faith. So do not let your hearts be troubled.
Chuck knew his health was waning. He had earlier wrecked two cars, as his health made driving for him something hard to do, even dangerous. And just last Tuesday, as Chuck was driving home, he had a heart attack. And following that heart attack, he had his final car wreck and God the Father brought Chuck home. Yet, even in death, Chuck is reminding us of what’s most important. He is telling you that when your time on earth is over, only this matters–that you are in the fold of Christ’s Church!
The Lord Jesus gave His disciples this promise. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be also.”
God has prepared a place for Chuck in His heavenly home. God has called him to be with Him forever. He is now in glory with all the saints who have preceded him, including Bonnie. Chuck is now having a heavenly reunion, where pain, suffering, sorrow, and tears are no more. The only tears being shed now are ours. They are the tears we cry as we grieve Chuck’s passing, joined with the tears of joy as we rejoice at his eternal victory.
So, Death where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory? They are gone. For the love of God in Christ Jesus has swallowed them up. The grave can harm no one who trusts in Jesus for eternal life. That was true even for a stubborn, old man with tattoos all over his arms named Chuck Kelsey.
Those who trust in Jesus do not die. Oh, they physically die. That’s why we’re having a funeral. But they only pass through death to life, life eternal, and life without death or sorrow. Today, that glory, that life belongs to Chuck. And Chuck is in the best of company: The angels and archangels and all the saints of heaven.
So let us not weep for Chuck this day. He is not sad; his tears are gone. Today, we weep for ourselves. For God has not yet relieved you and me of our earthly burdens and responsibilities. That happens in eternity.
Here, we will still experience sin, betrayal, and heartbreak in this fallen world. But amid the sadness and regret of this fallen, sinful world, we delight in the goodness of God. For in His mercy and grace, God has brought Chuck into His eternal presence and the joy that is now his.
A faith that directs your attention to within yourself is a river of death. But the Christian faith directs you to look outside yourself to Jesus Christ. And if Jesus Christ is your Savior from sin, who died to remove your guilt, and did everything the holy God of heaven and earth demands of you, you will see Chuck once more. For this resurrection hope belongs to all God’s children, to all whom God the Holy Spirit has brought to faith in Christ Jesus!
This day then, do not let your hearts be troubled. For Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And His Word is true: He will never abandon you or fail you. Amen.
