Funerals Are Good For Us
Since this may seem like a harsh thing to say, or at best peculiar, it therefore demands some explaining. In this short message, I will endeavor to do just that. I know this to be true from a Biblical perspective, but having just had the honor of celebrating Christ in the life of my mother-in-law, Patty, I know it to be true experientially as well. Now, did I think this way the tragic moment I heard of, barring a miracle, her inevitable and too soon(from my perspective) home going? No, I did not. However, as with all deep, difficult truths that seem to be at odds with reality, with time and actively trusting in the kind, sovereign hand of God, this hard truth and reality came into increasing alignment. A friend helpfully reminded me as I was preparing to share at the funeral said, “remember, funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living.” This may sound simple, but it is a reality that I fear too often is totally forgotten. It is true though, right? I mean, Patty wasn’t there wringing her hands wondering if everyone was going to say nice things about her, no she has already heard the kindest voice say things such as:
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“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” - Romans 5:6
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“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:1
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“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1
And finally she knows experientially the above statements that she knew by faith when she heard:
So what about the rest of us? How could funerals and death possibly be for our good. Another friend said about Patty’s home going, “this is Patty’s gain, but it is a real loss to us.” This is very true. So how could this work for our good? I have one reason with four implications for us to consider. I am sure there are more, but I will stick with these at this point.
Funerals are good for us because they remind us that the Gospel is true.
The Gospel reminds us to what we know to be true. Death is a reality, but it is not supposed to be this way. We can see our Savior’s hatred for the effects of sin at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. This is comforting that Jesus enters into our pain even when he plans to reverse them! This was true for Lazarus, and it is ultimately true for us too!
The Gospel also tells us that what awaits those who have placed the full weight of their lives on Christ, is not even comparable to the best this world has to offer. That is why Paul describes earth’s deepest pain as “light and momentary” when compared to the exponentially increasing joy in Christ that is and forever will be ours.
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“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Now for a couple of implications…
Implication #1
Since the Gospel is true, it persuades us not to waste our lives.
Unfortunately, if we are honest, for far too many of us, far too much time and energy is spent on things that will not matter in 50 years.
Eating, Drinking, Sex, Power, Status, Money, mind-numbing entertainment. The harsh finality of death makes the pursuit of these things as ultimate things, utterly ridiculous. And it forces us to reckon with this reality. Christ is pleading with us to trade our fleeting, temporary, fake happiness for that which will most satisfy us for eternity, Himself! I am not saying that these things in and of themselves are inherently wrong. Not at all. Only if we seek to find our greatest joy in them, instead of God.
Patty understood these things and sought to live her life accordingly, albeit imperfectly. She considered eternal things regularly, and this understanding is what lead to her faithful, resilient, and happy living even in the midst of her darkest hour.
Implication #2
Since the Gospel is true, it reminds me that the best things in life are not things.
Some of God’s kindest gifts in life are certainly not things. The sweetest gifts are eternal, they are relationships. They are family and friends, and the most treasured relationships are among the body of Christ.
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When God saved us, He made as members of his household, and He gave us as gifts to one another. Each brother and sister is a portion of my gospel inheritance from God, and I am a portion of their inheritance as well. We are significant players in each other's gospel narrative, and it is in relationship with one another that we experience the fullness of God in Christ. - Milton Vincent
Implication #3
Since the Gospel is true, it helps us to see our trials in light of eternity.
Funerals are good for us, if they remind us that the gospel is true and therefore allow us to see our trials from God’s perspective. Milton Vincent in his very helpful book A Gospel Primer summarizes this well in his section titled “Perspective on Trials,”
“The good news about my trials is that God is forcing them to bow to his gospel purposes and do good unto me by improving my character in making me more conformed to the image of Christ.”
This positions us to gain full eternal benefit from them.
Implication #4
And finally, since the Gospel is true, I must remind myself of its implications daily.
My propensity to sin, and the brokenness of this world daily seeks to lure me to disbelieve the Gospel, which is why I cannot live passively, but must actively remind myself of these most precious truths! As we daily behold the beauty of Christ in the Gospel and revel in the radical difference between what we deserve because of our sin and what we get in Christ because of His righteousness we will notice our hearts increasingly harmonizing with the Psalmist who says,
“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
And in this glimpse of heaven we will then realize that death does not have the final word, and even funerals can work for our good and the Glory of God.
In Christ,
Aaron Cook
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