Funeral Sermon for Keith Knight

Funeral Sermon for Keith Leroy Knight, based on Ps 23; Prov 3:13-14; 22:6; Eccles 12:9-10, 12b; Rom 6:3-5; Lk 24:36-47; by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

We are gathered here today to thank God for the life of Keith Leroy Knight; to commend him into God’s eternal care; and to remember him. Those who knew and loved Keith shall surely miss him; as we realise that we are all the better off for having the privilege of his presence among us.

   Although Keith’s death was very sudden, and that can be rather shocking and upsetting for loved ones; we can take comfort in the words of Psalm 23. The psalm gives us a picture of our LORD being like a loving, caring, protecting and providing shepherd. The psalmist reminds us that even during the time of dying and death, God is with us. God walks with us through death’s valley; we are not alone. God is with us as we mourn the loss of our loved one; we are not alone. God, like a good shepherd who knows and loves every sheep; knows and loves each one of us; and will never abandon us. What a wonderful promise that is!

   When I think of Keith and the times that I spent with him; I think of him as the family does too—as an intellectual, a teacher, and a thinker who was curious, and wise, insightful and understanding. Keith and I had numerous engaging conversations, which were thoughtful and eclectic—and I am grateful for those times I spent with Keith.  

   The gift of faith given to Keith was certainly activated in the form of teaching. Keith, I think, was a devoted teacher. His interests were eclectic, everything from math and the sciences, to Lutheran theology, history—especially current events, and biblical studies, and more. Keith enjoyed sports too—basketball, track, he was an ardent Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and Toronto Maple Leaf fan. Keith had an active mind as a scholar; he loved books, reading and studying. However, I think he knew, and would agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes who said: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” I’m sure Keith became flesh-weary at times as he poured himself into his study, learning and teaching. Quiet and introspective person that he was—there were times he needed to be alone too in order to reflect, think deeply, be at peace with, and integrate what he had studied, learned and taught.

   Speaking of integrating, the apostle Paul, in our passage from Romans, speaks of a wonderful promise that involves integration, solidarity and more. We have been baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection. Wow! Now, says Paul, we do not have to be afraid of death. We know death is not the end. Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death was defeated and we too shall inherit new, eternal life through resurrection. So we have hope for today, tomorrow and all of our future. Hope that we shall be with our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ when we die as well as with all of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us to their eternal reward. All of this because we’re baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection. We want to respond to this saving grace by living a God-pleasing life. That doesn’t mean we have a holier-than-thou attitude toward others, no. Rather, we recognize Jesus Christ has made a difference, a basic fundamental change in us so that we are set free to love and please him because he has loved us so much.   

   Keith most likely would agree with Martin Luther, when he spoke of faith in this way: “God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing. The true, living faith, which the Holy Spirit instils into the heart, simply cannot be idle.” Keith’s active faith has certainly contributed richly to the life and well being of this family and those he taught. His faith was, is and shall be an inspiration to many people. I’m sure Keith’s daughters have benefitted immensely from Keith’s gifts as a teacher-parent. As the proverb states, if one is taught sound truths as a child, one will not depart from such teaching. For that we give thanks to God the Giver of all faith.

   I know too that Keith always expressed his love for his family; they were all very near and dear to his heart. He willingly made unselfish sacrifices in order to provide for Cheryl, Melanie and Rhonda. He also gave generously to his grandchildren. He was a loving, caring companion for Jean right up to the end. Such love is rooted in and presupposes the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Keith’s love was definitely displayed through his hospitality. Whenever one visited him, one always met with a warm welcome and was made to feel at home, and treated royally. Such love also was made known by Keith through a deep respect for others. Keith respected others by taking time to listen, care for, and encourage them. In so doing, he showed that he valued living a respectful life, a life of integrity and honesty.  

   This faith, love respect, integrity, and honesty which we’ve been reflecting on, is epitomized in Jesus’ farewell conversation with his disciples in our Gospel text from Luke 24. I’m sure, Keith, being the intellectual person that he was, would be most grateful to have his mind  opened by the risen Christ so that he could understand the scriptures. Now, as he has gone through the door of death, into life eternal with his risen Saviour, I wonder if Christ isn’t doing that right now for Keith? Now those opened-ended thoughts and questions and curiosities; those mysteries of the faith; those unanswered questions may very well be resolved and answered.

   In closing, if Keith were able to say something today to you, maybe he would say: “I did appreciate the time I spent with all of you.” Then, he might say, perhaps with some humour: “Why are you having this service? I told you not to!” Our answer to Keith, I think, is rooted in the passage from Romans and Luke’s Gospel. We are a resurrection people. Death does not have the last word. So we give God our thanks and praise for Keith’s life, as we send him on his way to his eternal reward. Amen.