“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].
The verse is predicated upon the idea that God’s Son was given as a sacrifice because of our inability to make ourselves good. We could not remove our sin, we could not make ourselves pure, we could not justify ourselves. Therefore, what we couldn’t do, God did for us through sending His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sin, making us righteous in His sight. This is the reason each of us is invited to life when God says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation” [ROMANS 10:9-10 CSB].
If somehow that invitation seems too difficult, the Apostle to the Gentiles reaches back through time to pull up the words of an ancient prophet named Joel, who said, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” [ROMANS 10:13]. Thus, God has promised, and the promise is for each of us who listen today, that He will forgive our sin as we look to Jesus, His Son. As you believe that Jesus died because of you, and that He was raised from the dead for you, you will be forgiven all sin and adopted into the Family of God. The peace, the joy, the immediate acceptance as one of God’s beloved people, becomes a reality for you at that moment.
Perhaps you wonder why I haven’t spoken of my sister to this point. The reason is simply that a message delivered at a funeral is not for those whom we memorialise, those who have passed beyond this life. The words spoken here are for those of us who can hear what is being said. Almost fifty years ago, my sister settled the issue of where she would spend eternity when she accepted Jesus as Master over her life. Even then, she knew that though she was but a child, she was a sinner who needed One Who could forgive her sin and give her the righteousness that is required if we will stand in the presence of the Living God. My sister committed her life into the hands of Jesus, the Son of God. Therefore, for the remainder of her days she would walk in the knowledge of God’s love for her and in the certainty that she was accepted in His sight.
My sister is free of the bonds of this life, the constraints that once restricted her have been forever removed. She now stands perfected in the presence of the Son of God Who loved her and gave Himself for her. At this moment, my sister is looking on the face of Christ the Lord, seeing the King in His beauty. Nothing I can say will reveal the perfection she now enjoys. Neither can I describe the beauty that fills her heart since that day when she moved beyond the boundary of this moment we call now.
I can only imagine what it is for her to be in that perfect environment where there is no more death or dying, where mourning shall never again be known, where crying and pain are banished for all eternity. This is the reason I don’t speak of my sister and what she is now realising. Was she able to speak to us, I have no doubt that she would tell us not to weep, because for the first time she is truly alive—alive as God intended His child to be.
And this is what is promised for each of us if we have received the Son of God as Master over our life. For each of us, God would use these sober moments to challenge us to consider what is needful. Shall we live for this moment? Or shall we live for Christ and eternity? Beyond this present existence, if we have never received the gift of life God offers, awaiting us is the dark prospect of eternal banishment from the presence of God Who is life. However, if we live for Him, then beyond this dark moment we call now lies real life, life without constraints, life that shall be fulfilling. I would urge you, even now where you are seated, to consider whether the Christ Whom my sister knew and with Whom she walked, reigns over your life. I urge you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ so that you may be set free. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
