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.

Funeral Sermon for Kay Thompson

Funeral sermon for Katherine “Kay” Thompson, based on Prov 31:10-12, 28-30 & Rom 14:7-9; by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, Chaplain, The Good Samaritan Society's South Ridge Village, Medicine Hat, AB, January 18, 2013.

We are gathered here today to remember Katherine, more fondly referred to as Kay Thompson. We’re also here to acknowledge and share the loss of Kay and support one another as you mourn the death of Kay; and we’re here to worship God by giving thanks to him for the life of Kay and to commend her into the Lord’s eternal care.

   For those of you who knew and loved Kay; you will likely remember her as a strong-willed, even at times, a stubborn person. However, being strong-willed and stubborn is a blessing if one exercises these gifts at the right time for the right reasons—which I’m sure Kay did. Kay needed to be strong-willed and stubborn for the many challenges that she faced in her lifetime. Coming from a large family, she was given responsibilities for other family members at an early age. In her family of origin as well as after getting married and raising her family; Kay did the best she could because for her, family was very important; and looking after one another is a sacred duty. In this way Kay showed, expressed and lived as a sibling, a wife, mother and grandmother—sharing her love with you all, as you children have so clearly affirmed in your eulogy.

   When we have loved someone and that person dies, what happens to all the love we invested in that person? The Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai offers a bold and arresting image to answer that question. He suggests that a person’s body absorbs and stores all the love it receives in the course of a lifetime, from parents, lovers, husbands or wives, children and friends. Then when the body dies, it pours out all that love “like a broken slot machine disgorging the coins of all the generations,” and all the people nearby, and the entire world, are warmed by the love that has been returned to them. People die, but love does not die. It is recycled from one heart, from one life, to another.1  

   I think that is what our two passages from Proverbs and Romans are telling us as well. Love never dies. Love invested and shared in the life of others is a worthwhile investment and sharing—oftentimes the benefits of investing and sharing love go far above and beyond our highest imaginings or expectations.  

   That’s why I thought the words of the writer of the Book of Proverbs are an appropriate description of who Kay was and what her life was about.

   The passage from Proverbs describes a capable, a worthy wife and mother. In the patriarchal society in which it was written, one of the highest compliments given to a woman would have been to call her a capable, a worthy woman. To be a capable, a worthy woman, meant that you were important; you were a positive, a powerful and hopeful influence on others because God had blessed you with physical and spiritual strength; God had given you wisdom worth listening to; God had given you life-skills to love and serve others.

   So capable, so worthy is such a wife and mother says this passage from Proverbs that she is more valuable, “far more precious than jewels.” I’m sure Kay’s husband Harry would have regarded Kay in that way, since she was a very devoted and supportive wife. Such a wife, says our Proverbs text, gains the whole-hearted trust of her husband and he shall lack for nothing. Consequently her husband praises her. 

   The Proverbs author goes on to tell us that such a capable, worthy wife is also loved and respected by her children—and the children call her happy, likely because she provides for the needs of her children, making them happy. I think Kay’s children and grandchildren regarded her as a really good mom and grandmother; and likely you were blessed with happy times together. All of this was possible because of God’s provision for Kay of a long, healthy and full life. To the author of Proverbs; being able to do your duty as a capable, worthy wife and mother meant that you were fearing God; therefore you were worthy of praise.   

   So the love that Kay invested and shared with you family members and others too that she came to know have much to be thankful for; since you benefitted greatly from the life and love of Kay. That reminds me of our second passage from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, where he assures us that: “We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” I like the way the Contemporary English Version puts it: “Alive or dead, we still belong to the Lord.” Why is that the case? Well, Paul answers that by telling us: “This is because Christ died and rose to life, so that he would be the Lord of the dead and the living.”

   Those who fear God; those who trust in the Lord are not afraid of death since Jesus is always with us; even in death. Why? Because he’s Lord over death; ultimately he defeated it he won the victory over it through his suffering and death on the cross; and thanks to his resurrection he tells us that if we trust in him we shall be raised from the dead into eternal life. Such Good News cannot be kept to himself. He shares it with everyone; he loves you and me and the whole world. His Lordship over our lives and deaths is his way of spreading his love around so that it grows, and grows, and grows.

   Kay didn’t live only for herself; she lived and shared her love for you family members, friends and neighbours. She did because Christ her Lord, your Lord, and my Lord first loved her and claimed her as his precious daughter. No person is completely alone. Thanks to Jesus we are bound to one another and our Lord—so we can never live to our self. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. In response to his endless love for us; may we serve him by being bound together in love for our fellow human beings. Being bound together in love we are all part of God’s family; and so we can celebrate and give thanks to the Lord for the life and now the death of Kay and the privilege of having known and loved her. Amen.

1 Harold S. Kushner, Living a Life That Matters: Resolving The Conflict Between Conscience And Success (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2001), p. 154.      

  

Funeral Sermon for Gary Wayne Bruce

Funeral Sermon for Gary Wayne Bruce, based on Ps 23; Rev 21:1-6 & Jn 14:1-6 by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, May 13, 2010.

We do not know what the future holds. Our life consists of both the known and the unknown. If Gary, or you Martha, or all of you other family members and friends of Gary here today had to choose—I’m sure that neither Gary nor any of you would have chosen Gary to become ill and have that illness claim his life. Death comes to us all; yet, we struggle to accept it—especially when it claims a loved one whom we were hoping would live among us for many more years to come. Yes, I am certain that the loss of your loved one, Gary hurts you. At times like this we turn to God for help; who, like a Good Shepherd, promises to be with us.

In the twenty-third Psalm, the psalmist reminds us that God is not far away from us. Rather, in the psalmist’s words: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me…” Your beloved Gary has now passed through the valley of death. You feel his absence and miss him. Your tears are tears of pain and loss. There is an empty place deep inside your lives because Gary is no longer with you.

Yes, Gary has passed through the valley of death. To say this is not to be macabre, but to face life truthfully. Too much of our life is spent ignoring or repressing this reality and that is another reason why the death of a loved one affects us so deeply; we cannot avoid facing the power of death over us.

Yet, we trust the promise of God our shepherd, who through the words of the psalmist, said: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” Notice in these words that the valley of death is not our final destination. No. Rather, we walk through it. Just as a loving shepherd leads their sheep from dangerous to safe places; so God takes us by the hand and walks with us through death and leads us to the safe place of life everlasting—if we trust in God.

Here I am reminded of two other promises from the Bible that re-affirm this promise in our Psalm of God being with us. In Matthew’s Gospel, in fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah; when Jesus was born one of his names is Emmanuel; which literally means God is with us. And, in Matthew’s Gospel, the last words Jesus says to his disciples in the form of a promise are these: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” What a wonderful promise that is! Such a promise helps to ease your loss—giving you assurance about the eternal destiny of your loved one. The cross did not ultimately kill Jesus and keep him in the grave. No. Rather, God raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus has promised that he is with us always—even and especially during our most difficult times in life. We can count on him and place our trust in him and his word—which has the power to create new hope and new life.

So, in the midst of your sorrow and hurt; as you remember Gary and mourn his loss; I invite you to hear the following words of comfort and promise from God’s word: God's good news, which seems too good to be true—yet, it is true. Hear then what God’s word promises, in the Book of Revelation: “To the thirsty I will give water without price.” By contrast, the world says, “everything has a price tag.” Not so with God. God’s ways are not our ways; and so God promises: “To the thirsty I will give water without price—as a gift.”

Listen also to this promise from Revelation, God: “will wipe every tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. And he who sat upon the throne said, ‘See, I make all things new.’” That means God makes Gary new too. Whatever problems, shortcomings or sufferings Gary had in this life will be taken away. Yes, some of us—preachers like me—may have wished he would have come to church. Yes, a few of us here today wish we could have been given the opportunity to know Gary more, yet, none of us knew him as thoroughly as God does. Thus it is ultimately into God's mercy that all of us shall find refuge. We may stay awake nights and worry, perhaps too much, about standing before the Judge of all peoples—including you and I. If we can approach the Almighty with faith as Christians, we can picture that day as a day of great joy, not a day to dread. You see, not one of us has a perfect faith. When the LORD asks, “Do you want justice?”, the best answer is “No, please LORD, I want mercy.” Another word for mercy in Revelation is “thirst,” asking for free water. The world answers “no” too often, but God says: “To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life.” In the name of God Almighty, and for the sake of our brother, Gary, we ask for mercy, through the resurrection power of Jesus the Christ—who has conquered the powers of evil, sin, and death.

Today, in the church year, we celebrate Ascension Day, which is forty days after Easter Sunday—hence, it always falls on a Thursday. On this day we remember Jesus, who, as we confess in our Apostles’ Creed: “ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” In our text from John, Jesus hints at his ascension too when he promises that he is going to his Father’s house where there are many rooms; and he is going there to prepare a place for us. In this sense, Jesus by ascending into heaven is opening the doors of heaven for us. The ascension then reaffirms Christ’s divine saving power, and his place of honour beside God the Father in heaven.

So, may our hope and prayer for Gary and for you and me be the same as these words of scripture that we sing in the liturgy of the church, “Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, abounding in steadfast love.” Amen!

Funeral Sermon for Fred Stuber

Funeral Sermon for Frederick Stuber

Based on Ps. 23, Rom 8:31-39 & Matt 7:12 By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson,

Chaplain, South Ridge Village, Good Samaritan Society, Medicine Hat, AB May 6, 2010

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, a dear friend, and kind neighbour, Frederick Stuber, is no longer with us. Those who loved and knew Fred shall certainly miss him. Fred will continue to be loved and remembered for his friendliness and kind qualities.

Fred had a big heart, loved conversation and coffee row. Because of his friendliness and kindness; he knew everyone and everyone knew him. He always enjoyed being with his friends and family. His grandchildren and great grandchildren had a special place in his heart. At times he loved to tease. Those who shared Fred’s companionship shall surely miss him. If he were able, I’m certain Fred would say thank you to his family and friends, the staff at South Ridge who came to know, love and care for him; and, he would also express his deepest gratitude to his loving wife Joan, who faithfully provided for his needs and was with him every day.

In Psalm 23, we are given a beautiful picture of a God who is like a loving, caring shepherd. A God who is always with us, providing for our needs, and protecting us from danger and harm. A God who walks with us even in our most trying and difficult times. A God who walks with us even to the end, to lead us through the door of death, into life everlasting.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are here to embrace Fred’s family as they mourn his death. We are also here with them today to listen to the Good News of Scripture. During times like this, we can be overwhelmed by our emotions, it is important to hear the words of faith, words which keep us on track through the good and difficult times of life. The apostle Paul’s words from Romans assure us that there is nothing—not hardships, nor poverty, nor danger, nor disease, nor illness, nor the unknown, nor death itself—nothing in all creation can sever our relationship with God in Christ. Nothing can separate us from God’s love, and that’s the Greatest News we could possibly ever hear!

We can depend on God’s love, which constantly surrounds us; creating the bedrock of our faith. What a wonder it is and how beautiful it was demonstrated in Fred’s life. Christ’s love strengthened him, empowered him, even as he became increasingly ill. And it is comforting to know that, should you and I be stricken with illness or disease as Fred was, we will not be separated from the love of God in Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

We have experienced God’s love here together today as it surrounds us and flows through us. God’s love will also accompany us as we go from here to begin our daily routines. The LORD promises to go from here with us; encouraging us through loved ones and friends. His Holy Spirit ministers to us—providing us with strength, comfort, and hope day-by-day. God’s grace gives us a solid foundation for the living out of all our days, regardless of what happens. Christ’s healing and resurrection presence embraces us; so we can look forward to the future. Whatever the future holds for you and I—God’s love will be there to lean on, rest in, and grow stronger. Nothing in all of creation—not even death can separate us from the love of God thanks to Jesus our Lord and Saviour’s victory over sin, evil and death through his suffering on the cross and his resurrection. Jesus rules! We who believe in Jesus and the winning power of his resurrection shall, when we die, share in a resurrection like his. That is something wonderful to look forward in hope for!

Fred was a man of deep faith in Jesus, and for that we thank the LORD. One of the deepest values and beliefs of Fred, which he practiced in his life, is the central message of Christian faith—namely, to love, care for, and be kind to one another. Psalm 23 certainly provides us with an excellent example of God’s love and care for us, and God’s kindness toward us.

Jesus, in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter seven, verse twelve, teaches us the true meaning of kindness, which is often referred to as the Golden Rule: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” Fred strived to live up to this teaching of Jesus by looking for the good in everyone. That is certainly something all of you can strive to do, as you remember Fred and are inspired by this way of looking at and treating others. By doing to others as you would have them do to you, you love your neighbour as yourself. A wise person once said that God is as close as our neighbour. Therefore, to love and care for our neighbour is indeed to love God. Fred demonstrated his love by his love and kindness to his wife, children and grandchildren; and by his many kindnesses and friendliness in the community. I know I witnessed Fred’s kindness and friendliness to others at South Ridge Village. While he was still able to walk; I remember how he would enjoy walking in our building in order to mingle with others and greet them. Later, when he was confined to the wheelchair, Fred would still enjoy peoples’ company and give them a big smile, shake their hand, and his eyes would light up.

And so, we can give our thanks to God our Good Shepherd, God our loving Father, and Jesus his Son, who provides us with all that we need in this life and the next. We can give thanks to God for the life of Fred. God who has called Fred to a better place, where peace, joy, and love have no ending. God who offers you here today his comfort, kindness and love, and provides for all of your needs now and in the future. God who, one day, shall call us all to that better place, to dwell with him and our loved ones forever. Until then may our prayer be:

O God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, Still be our guard while troubles last And our eternal home! (Lutheran Book of Worship #320, Isaac Watts) Amen.

Sermon for Nick Knebel Graveside Service

Message for Graveside Service of Nick Knebel,

based on Mk 4:3-9 & Phil 3:20-21

by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson,

Chaplain, South Ridge Village, The Good Samaritan Society,

Medicine Hat, Alberta

As I thought about Nick, two Bible passages came to mind. In my visits with Nick, he would reminisce about his past life as a Saskatchewan farmer. Jesus who was familiar with the farming life in ancient Palestine taught one day by telling a parable of a sower who went out to sow his crop. As he spread the seeds onto the field he had no control over what happened to them once they fell on the ground. The parable tells us that the seed fell on the pathway where birds ate it up; on rocky ground where seeds had no place to lay down roots, so they were scorched by the Middle East sun; other seed fell among thorns, which choked the grain to death; yet other seed fell on good soil and produced a healthy crop of thirty, sixty and a hundredfold.

I’m sure Nick could relate to this parable of the sower and seed, since as a farmer, he did the same thing year-after-year. He, like the sower, had to wait on God in faith for the crop to grow and eventually be harvested. And like the seed falling in different places—not all of Nick’s crops were likely as successful as he would wish every year because of weeds, insects, and weather conditions beyond Nick’s control. Yet Nick kept planting the seed, trusting that God would provide a harvest. In this way Nick was doing what God had called him to do. He was, as a farmer, contributing to society, by providing crops, which would be harvested and then produced into food products to feed human beings. That was Nick’s calling in life, and he did it faithfully year-after-year.

Explaining the parable, Jesus said God’s people, particularly preachers, sow the seed of God’s word. The seed represents God’s word in the parable. And the amazing thing is that the word works in peoples’ lives to give them faith in God and all other kinds of gifts and resources to live meaningful lives. So God’s word is spread and meant to be shared with others, just as Nick’s crops were meant to be harvested and then shipped away to produce products for people to eat. By feeding on God’s word we grow deeper in our faith in Christ and that faith too is meant to be shared with others so that they can grow into a deeper faith in Christ too.

In my visits with Nick, he would also speak occasionally of his homeland in Romania and the long journey he made from there to immigrate here in Canada and settle on his uncle and aunt’s farm in Saskatchewan. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:20-21 speaks of citizenship. He says we are citizens of heaven. Nick left his citizenship of his homeland behind in Romania for a new citizenship here in Canada. Once he became a citizen here, he was entitled to all of the privileges and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.

The same is true, says Paul, of our citizenship in heaven. One day, we shall “immigrate” to our new homeland, leave Canada behind, and become full-fledged citizens in heaven, our true, eternal home. That’s the promise in our Philippians passage that now, by the LORD’s grace, Nick shall be a beneficiary of; and that too is a promise we look forward to one day.

According to Paul, our citizenship entitlement and inheritance shall involve a huge change. Christ, our Lord and Saviour “will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.” In other words, it will be Easter for us all, as our powerful LORD will resurrect our bodies to be with him eternally in heaven. Nick’s old, tired, worn out body will now be changed into a new, spiritual body as a citizen of heaven. By God’s grace, so will ours! That is my hope—I hope it is yours too! Amen.

Sermon Easter Day Yr A

Easter Day Yr A, 23/03/2008
Col 3:1-4
Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, &
Chaplain of The Good Samaritan Society’s
South Ridge Village, Medicine Hat, Alberta

"Raised with Christ"

A grouchy husband made it into heaven along with his wife. However he was still rather glum. "What’s wrong now?" the wife asked. "Can’t you see, we’re in heaven? This is beautiful—the music is great, the food is out of this world, the mansion has everything and more we’d ever dreamt of, the golf course is the best we’ve ever seen, there’s no fees, no taxes, our health is fantastic, why aren’t you happy? What’s wrong with you?"

The husband replied, "If we hadn’t eaten that miserable oat bran, we could have been here ten years ago."

The punch line of this joke compliments the words of our second lesson today. In this passage, the Christians at Colossae, which was a town of Phrygia in Asia Minor, close to Ephesus, were exhorted to focus on heaven. Earlier they had been told that through the entrance rite of Christianity; through the sacrament of Holy Baptism; they had died and risen with Christ. Now, continuing with that line of thought, they are instructed: "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

In other words, they are to live, to act like Easter people. They are to live and act as resurrection people. This is true, because for the writer of this letter, the resurrection is something that has already been accomplished in the past, the writer reminds them and us: "you have been raised with Christ," an action, a fact that has already occurred—not "you shall be raised with Christ" in the future. The resurrection is an accomplished action; a victory won; a fact that has now become part of Christian salvation history, says the writer of Colossians with utmost confidence.
Pastor and professor, Donald Deffner tells the following story: An atheist who served as a custodian at a seminary enjoyed baiting the young theologians. He told one who was reading a book about eternal life, "If you ask me, that’s so much hogwash. When you’re dead, you’re dead." The student replied, "You’re right, George. When you’re dead, you’re dead." The janitor walked away, wondering what in the world that young man was doing at a seminary. The student’s point was that hope of eternal life comes only after one has faced the reality of eternal death—which the janitor had not.1

Our second lesson reminds us that hope of eternal life comes only after we have faced the reality of eternal death. We have all done that when we were baptised. In baptism we were buried with Christ in his death and in baptism we were raised with Christ to new, resurrection life. Therefore, the writer exhorts the Colossian Christians to focus on this new reality of resurrection. Resurrection, says the writer, is to be the Christian’s entire orientation in life. Resurrection is the key, the guide, the reason for living life now in this world. Resurrection is the Christian’s life focus. What does that mean? Does it mean that we’re so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good? No, not at all! That is to misunderstand the message of our passage. Rather, it is to live life on earth in light of the reality, the accomplished fact that Christ, through his death and resurrection has won the victory for us and for everyone—that is why he is now "seated at the right hand of God." This picture of Christ being exalted, by sitting at God’s right hand is a Jewish concept of future reward in heaven; it is giving Christ the ultimate honour as the Messiah. It reminds one of a winner, victor after a great battle. Christ is the Victor, Christ is the Winner, and Christ is the Ultimate Conqueror. Hence militant Easter hymns like "The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done," and "Thine Is the Glory" are most appropriate as we celebrate the truth of Easter Sunday and the power of the resurrection. Christ has defeated the powers of sin, death and evil. If that is true, says our second lesson, then the way we live as Christians each day points to that reality of the resurrection.

One of our magazines carried a cartoon of a pastor addressing an overflow congregation on Easter Sunday and asking, "Are you not just a little curious as to what goes on here between Easters?" Regardless of the motivation, what does Easter mean to you? Or rather, what does Christ mean to you? Do you reckon him a notable historical personage like Socrates, Buddha, Gandhi? Do you reverence him as the sublimest ethical teacher of all time? Or do you believe that he overcame the sharpness of death, that is to say, he is not only the Jesus of history but the Jesus of experience, alive and at work in the world here and now? If you incline to shy away from that last question, dismissing it perhaps as sheer mysticism, take another look at the facts. Christianity is something more than hero-worship. It is not just the perpetuation of a great memory. It is a relationship to and a fellowship with a Christ who is "alive for evermore." Everything in Christianity depends on the reality of the resurrection of Christ, on the fact that he rose from the grave, appeared to his disciples, made his presence felt in their lives, and still makes his presence felt, is in our generation as great an actuality as he was to his first followers.
"Shall I tell you," David Livingstone asked the students of Glasgow University on his return from sixteen years spent in Africa, "what sustained me amidst the toil and hardship, and loneliness of my exiled life? It was the promise, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end.’" For multitudes this is life’s most precious conviction. When they speak about Christ, they use not only the past and future tenses but the present tense as well. "Lo, I am with you always." That is the heartwarming, heart-gladdening fact we celebrate this morning.2

For us Christians, our ultimate security; our eternal home; our most healthy state of being is in heaven with God in Christ. That does not mean we are so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. Rather, that means living in light of the fact of our baptismal inheritance and covenant. That means living in light of the fact that, as our second lesson reminds us we: "have been raised with Christ." This is an accomplished fact that shapes all of our history, personally and collectively. In light of this fact, our life on earth can bring resurrection where there is death; hope to the hopeless; love to the loveless. In the face of all sufferings and failures—there is healing and ultimate victory thanks to our risen Saviour Jesus Christ. Yes, we "have been raised with Christ!" Alleluia! Amen.

1 Donald L. Deffner, Sermons for Church Year Festivals (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1997), p. 68.
2 Robert J. McCracken, "The Inevitableness of Easter," in: Paul H. Sherry, Editor, The Riverside Preachers: Fosdick McCracken Campbell Coffin (New York: The Pilgrim Press, 1978), pp. 99-100.

Sermon Palm/Passion Sunday Yr A

Palm/Passion Sunday Yr A, 16/03/2008
Matt 26:36-46
Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, &
Chaplain of The Good Samaritan Society’s
South Ridge Village, Medicine Hat, Alberta

“Gethsemane”

It was night. Jesus had just celebrated the Passover and instituted the Lord’s Supper. He had told them one of the twelve would betray him. He also had predicted Peter’s denial. Now they make their way to the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane. Here Jesus takes along Peter, James and John to keep vigil with him. He had been their source of comfort throughout his public ministry. Now, this night before his death, he seeks their comforting presence.

Matthew tells us at this point Jesus was: “grieved and agitated.” Telling the three inner circle disciples: “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” Here we have a picture of Jesus’ humanity; he could be grief-stricken, agitated and full of sorrow. This grief and sorrow is something that Isaiah described centuries earlier, saying: “He was despised and rejected…a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (RSV, Isa 53:3) Composer G.F. Handel, in his Messiah, sets these words from Isaiah to music, which is hauntingly, yet tragically beautiful.

What was the root of Christ’s sorrow, agitation and grief unto death? Most likely it was a combination of many things. He knew that he was about to leave his disciples behind, whom he loved dearly. He knew that after his time of agonizing prayer in Gethsemane that his disciple, Judas Iscariot would soon betray him and Peter would shortly deny him three times before the rooster’s crow. He knew that as the drama of his Passion heightened and he was nailed to the cross his disciples would split the scene and abandon him. He knew that the devil, the powers of evil were at work on this night to try and prevent him from doing what he needed to do. He knew that he would be treated like the lowliest and hated of criminals. He knew that he was about to be tried, sentenced and executed like a criminal on the trumped up charge of insurrection. He knew the crowds would condemn him, slander him, mock him. He knew that some of his own people along with several of their religious leaders would reject him. All of this and more was almost too much to bear. In light of this all now Jesus hopes his three inner circle disciples will stay awake with him for a brief duration of companionship and comfort.

After he tells them to stay awake, he walks a little farther to be alone; to pray to his heavenly Father. Matthew tells us that in his extremely troubled state Jesus: “threw himself on the ground and prayed.” His throwing himself on the ground again suggests Christ’s humanity. He comes to God the Father with humility; this position of prayer epitomises humility; the pain is so great; carrying the sins of the world; he falls down to the ground in prayer.

It was French theologian Jacques Ellul who once said: “Whoever wrestles with God in prayer puts his (or her) whole life at stake.” Is that not precisely what Jesus did at Gethsemane, put his whole life at stake?

In his humanity, Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Or as Eugene Peterson renders it in The Message: “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?” Here the deep inner anguish; the unbearable agony of having to do what he dreaded and feared most—dying on a cross for the sins of the world is the cup of suffering Jesus in his humanness; in his love of life asks God the Father to be spared of. However, each sin had to be atoned for; every human being, all of humankind from beginning to end had to be forgiven—thus his suffering was beyond our comprehension.

While this incomprehensible battle was raging within Jesus, the three disciples were overcome with stress and so chose to fall asleep and look after their physical need above their spiritual need to stay awake with Christ and suffer with him. Some comfort they were! Yet there is much truth in Jesus alone at prayer, struggling to accept God the Father’s will, not his will. We too face at times our Gethsemane. Sinners that we are, we struggle with doing God’s will rather than our own will—especially if God wills us to face suffering and a cross. We too, like Jesus, may think that we are carrying the world on our shoulders. We too, like Jesus may feel abandoned by our closest friends or family members. However, the example of Jesus is ours to follow—turning to God in prayer and asking him for help to do his will.

After his exhortation to the disciples to stay awake and pray not to fall into the time of trial; Jesus went to pray alone a second time. This time Jesus’ prayer is more resolved to accept his destiny: “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Or as Eugene Peterson renders it: “My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I’m ready. Do it your way.”

Once again Jesus went back to Peter, James and John only to find them fast asleep. This time he does not awaken them. Instead, he goes back a third time to pray the same prayer.

Prayer for Jesus at Gethsemane was extremely important. Prayer allowed Jesus to commune with his Abba his Loving Parent, just as a young child trusts her or his parent for everything. Prayer made it possible for Christ to pour out and hand over all of his fears, agony, agitation, sorrow and grief to God the Father. Prayer provided Christ with the single-mindedness of purpose to carry out the Father’s will. Prayer gave him the strength and courage to willingly accept the loneliness and God-forsakenness ahead of him. Prayer helped him face the events of the Passion—to endure and overcome them.

What about us? Do we believe that God is with us and is our only, our highest and best Source of help, comfort, guidance and strength when we face our Gethsemane? If Jesus turned to his heavenly Father three times in prayer in order to help him face his suffering and crucifixion—then how much more we imperfect sinners do we need to turn to God in prayer? This short verse of a an anonymous poem illustrates the point very well: “I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day,/I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray./Problems tumbled about me, and heavier became each task./ “Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered, and He answered: “You didn’t ask.”

Gethsemane teaches us that when we feel utterly alone; when we suffer betrayal or denial; when we are falsely or unjustly judged or punished; when we face obstacles and sufferings that seem unbearable; when we face our Gethsemane—then God promises to be with us as we commune with him in prayer; then, when we pray “thy will be done” he will supply the grace and everything we need to face life and accomplish his will. Jesus teaches us that all things are possible through prayer. Our heavenly Father provides everything we need and is always available and waiting for us to ask that his will be done. Amen.