A Funeral Sermon For A Godly Woman

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” [HEBREWS 2:14-18]. [1]

There is nothing pretty about death. The process of dying at last steals what little may remain of our humanity, twisting and distorting even that bit until our dignity is stripped away and what little humanity remains seems almost unrecognisable. We know this to be true; we witness it as each of us tries to continue looking as though we are still twenty years of age and at the peak of our strength. The extensive use of cosmetics and the abundance of clothing designed to make us look young testify to this. But all our efforts can never disguise the lines creasing our face, the hesitation in our step, how easily we are startled at the smallest sounds, or the weakened musculature that accompanies ageing.

We move inexorably toward death, and none of us are especially eager for that final encounter. It has been said, quite accurately I might add, that death is the last thing we talk about. Then comes the day when someone whom we know dies. Perhaps that someone is one whom we admire for their courage and their grace in the face of the inevitable march of time. We want to honour that person, so we will take time out of our busy lives to attend the memorial service. We may not be eager to be there, but we were blessed to have known that person, and we would not wish to dishonour their memory.

Even at the service, we approach the subject of death tangentially rather than forthrightly. The eulogy recites many of the significant moments in the life of that person. And the slide show is sure to bring a smile to our face as we recall the joy we experienced when that one spoke with us, or as we see familiar pictures reminding us of times we once shared. We hear some of the favourite music that the one we are honouring enjoyed. Then, occasionally, the preacher actually speaks of death, reminding us that the event that has drawn us together awaits each of us. We feel somewhat uncomfortable, wondering if the preacher couldn’t speak of something that is more pleasant, more positive.

However, the preacher is one of those stern individuals who is convinced of the truths declared in the Word that God has given. He knows, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” So, the urgency of that thought impels him to speak pointedly, knowing that some have never heard, nevertheless convinced that all need to hear. Because he believes what God has delivered, the preacher also knows that the remainder of that passage comforts some, and confronts all, reminding each of us that, “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” [HEBREWS 9:27-28].

Well, couldn’t the preacher just tell us these things in a service at church? That way, if we wanted to hear these things we could go to church. Isn’t that the proper venue for such talk? Why must the preacher be so blunt, confronting us with such a pointed reminder? The reason he is pointed in his speech is precisely because we need to hear these things. After all, isn’t a memorial service for one who has walked with the Lord appropriate for a message such as this? We may not enjoy hearing it, but it remains that “The wages of sin is death” [ROMANS 6:23a], and each of us are broken creatures under sentence of death. If we are fortunate enough to be listening to a preacher who cares, we will undoubtedly hear him cite the remainder of that verse, encouraging each one that “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” [ROMANS 6:23b].

The reason we must speak of our accountability to God Who gives us our being is that we must all appear before Him to give an account of what we have done with His Son. I suppose that each of us has heard at one time or another that well known verse that tells us, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” [JOHN 3:16].