Funeral Service – Sermon 145

Introduction

‘Thank you for being near at this time of suffering Lord – for without you it would be more than I could bear –

Your comforting presence calms and strengthens me

You provide short periods of relief – and help me regain my bearings and my thoughts-

I don’t see any purpose for my pain Lord-

I want you to remove it – yet it still remains – the tears I shed are beyond measure-

Even though I grieve – I feel your mercy and your love’ –

Words from a devotional thought – by Anita Donihue

Experiencing the death – of someone close – comes to us all – yet its an experience most of us fail to understand – until we walk through it ourselves

 
point 1     Jesus talks to His disciples

In our reading from John’s Gospel – we hear Jesus explaining to His disciples – what will happen after He dies –

He knew He only has a short time to live- and wanted to provide reassurance – about what lies ahead – for – Him and for them –

He talks to them of the need to trust in God – and to find rest –

‘Set your troubled hearts at rest’ – He says –

‘Trust in God always ’ – trust in me’

In times of suffering – even His own – Jesus offers us a helping hand – that provides hope and above all – love – to those who grieve and mourn –

In Jesus we have someone we can open our hearts and our thoughts to – knowing that He will listen and share our pain –

He also reassures – His disciples – about where He is going –

‘My Father’ House’ He says – which – ‘has many dwelling places – if it were not so – I should not have told you’

Our vision of heaven is sometimes clouded – by what we experience here on earth –

We think of houses with walls – we can imagine large hotels – huge tower blocks -perhaps a city?

But what is certain – is that heaven is a definite place – and that it – has room for us all

Heaven is also a place of restoration – and reunion

‘I will go and prepare a place for you’ – He said – and I shall come and take you there myself’

There are – many doors that shut on us – here on earth – but in heaven we will never be shut out-

‘you know the way I am taking’ –

Jesus is about to embark on a journey – that will involve suffering and death – in less than 24 hours – Jesus will take the burdens of mankind’s sins on His shoulders- and atone for them- once and for all through His life saving death- on the cross-

And through His resurrection – He will provide the route through which others can follow – and join with Him in heaven- with the Father-

Here – He is telling His disciples – that even if they don’t yet understand – why He must die – He must nevertheless – make His journey to the Father- so that His work can be finished – and a place prepared ahead of them in heaven

His words – are about releasing – letting him go – so that when His time comes – they will come to realize that He is not deserting them – but going – so that they too can be with Him –

But Thomas – in character – responds in his usual way – What do you mean – we know the way? – We don’t know where you’re going?

Jesus’ reply is straight to the point – ‘I am the way – if you want to know how to get to the Father’s house – you must come by me’

Jesus knows – that we can’t see the way ahead – and we need to know not only that there is a way into the unknown future – but also that we will be able to find it –

The truth – and the life through which we know and find the way – is Jesus Himself – the Jesus who washed His disciples feet – the Jesus who wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus – The Jesus who was on His way to give His life – as shepherd of His sheep –

God gave us Jesus – so that we – can come to know the way – and so that Jesus can show us the way – And go the way – ahead of us

Jesus journey to the Father has transformed our lives and our earthly ending

Because Jesus lives- we His followers also live

Our hope for the future rests in Jesus who died for our sins – and assures us of salvation –