The Risen Vine

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. Maybe you’ve heard these words of Jesus a lot throughout your life. Maybe some of you haven’t. But this is one of those go to texts in John’s Gospel that remind us to always stay connected to Jesus. Because if we don’t, we have no hope. As Jesus says, those branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. Not something to look forward to. However, remaining isn’t painless. If  we do remain, there is such a thing a pruning. And pruning hurts.

But it is done so that we can produce more fruit. We usually take that to mean that even though bad things happen in our life, God is using those to do good somewhere. Which is exactly what Paul tells the Romans, right? “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” At least this is how I’ve often understood this Gospel lesson in the past.

But there’s a strange thing going on in the original language. Because we understand pruning a vine to involve cutting, and probably pain. Yet the word in Greek simply means ‘to clean.’ It’s the same word used as an adjective in verse three, where Jesus says, “Already you are clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.” So it’s the same idea. And cleaning doesn’t necessarily mean hurting. Cleaning doesn’t automatically make us think of the bad things that happen in our life. And the cleaning has already happened when Jesus spoke His Word. 

Now, it could absolutely mean pruning. But that part that Jesus adds in there  is important. You are clean because of the Word. The Word cleanses, the Word prunes. Not life. Not circumstances out there in the world. Not the sin of others or ourselves. The Word alone does it. And that means that we shouldn’t hear this text as a “God’s with me when times are tough” text. Not that this idea is wrong. Because it is true. And we hear it elsewhere. But rather because that idea might not be what Jesus means here.

What does it mean then? The Word cleanses us in order that we, who already bear fruit, might bear more fruit. Okay, but what does it mean to bear fruit? That too, we have an idea about. Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control….” Those things are the fruit the Word of God gives me. That is true. Or maybe we could go to Colossians, where we’re told to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work….” Our good works are also a fruit the Word gives to me. That is also true.

But do either of those work with the words of our Gospel lesson? Every branch in me that does not [have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control] he takes away? Or how about, Every branch in me that does not [have good works] he takes away? That raises some red flags for us, doesn’t it? Like I said, don’t hear me saying any of those things we talked about as fruit aren’t. Because elsewhere, they truly are. But is that the same fruit Jesus is talking about here? I don’t think it is. 

So then, what is the fruit in this text? What comes by the Word. What cleanses us when receive it. What are we made ready to receive more of, even though we already have it? There is another fruit that Scripture talks about. Only instead of coming from a vine, it comes from a tree. Well, two trees. The tree of life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fruit of one is eternal life. The fruit of the other is sin, which leads to death. Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree of sin. And in that one act, poisoned humanity with sin. 

We cannot escape it on our own. That tree is rooted in us all the days of our lives. And the fruit we bear alone only comes from that one tree. And it was on that tree that we killed the one innocent man. It was on our sin that Jesus Christ was crucified for us. The death of Jesus was the fruit we grew with our own hands, as we pounded the nails into His hands and feet. And on that tree, Jesus died.

But there’s a remarkable thing that happened. Because while the tree of the knowledge of good and evil grew in us, the tree of life grew in Jesus. And when we nailed Him up there, Jesus grafted the tree of life in. So that the fruit that hung on the tree was not sin, and death, and condemnation. The fruit of the tree of the cross was forgiveness, life, and salvation. And in that fruit is the resurrection. Not only the amazing resurrection of Jesus, but your resurrection as well. 

The fruit that Jesus has us bear is the Easter promise of resurrection from the dead. And by the Word of God, that promise has been given to you. You have within you the resurrection of Jesus. And the same Word that put Jesus in there, the same Word that gives you faith, and hope, and new creation, grows the fruit of your resurrection too.

You cannot bear eternal life as fruit apart from Jesus. But in Jesus, you cannot help but bear that fruit. Because Jesus makes you new. Both on the last day, and right now. The new creation is in you today. Yeah, it’s sharing space with the sinner. We are at the same time saint and sinner in this life. But that’s why cleansing is necessary. That’s why pruning is necessary. The big churchy word for that is sanctification. We do try to restrain the sinful parts of ourselves, even if we aren’t always successful. 

But the saint in us, the new creation in us has been given an amazing promise today. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” And Jesus can give that promise, knowing full well the part of you that has faith will ask for what glorifies the Father, and for what will continue the resurrection that has already begun in you. The part growing from the three of life can ask anything at all, and it will be done. How cool is that?

Now, separating that from the sinner in us isn’t easy. And sometimes the motives we think are good, right, and holy, aren’t so much. But hey, maybe there’s something you could ask for. Lord, Help me ask for the right things. Help me do the right thing for my neighbor. Help me keep Your Commandments. Help me grow in my faith. Help me to continue to abide in Jesus. He’s not going to answer no to any of those. After all, the fruit of the tree of life, the fruit of Jesus, the resurrection itself grows in you. You are already part of Christ, the risen vine. And this is His promise to you. For Jesus is the firstfruits of the resurrection. And He has attached Himself to you so that the fruit of the tree of life would grow in you as well. Thanks be to God.

The Risen Shepherd

An Easter Sermon on John 10.11-18 and Psalm 23

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There’s only one problem with the Easter season. And that is that we quickly forget that it’s the Easter season. Advent we remember. Christmas we remember. Lent we remember. Because the texts hit us with the reason for the season again and again. But after the first three weeks of Easter, what’s today’s lesson? It’s Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Great text. Great way of understanding who Jesus is. But does it remind you of the resurrection?

We’re used to hearing about the fact that Jesus takes care of us. And that is true. We’re used to hearing that we’re sheep, and sheep aren’t very good at self preservation. Just like a sheep is liable to wander off a cliff, we too are in danger because of our sin. We know from these words that there are wolves out there who would like nothing better than to devour our faith. That He’s reaching out to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, so that the whole world would be shepherded by Jesus. And loud and clear are the words that Jesus lays down His life for the sheep. The cross is prominent. And we always need to get to the cross. 

But the resurrection? The Easter season? It’s no where near as clear, is it? Maybe we can look at the part where Jesus said that even though He lays down His life, He can take it back up again. That’s certainly there. But it really feels like an afterthought. Because the meat of today is definitely Jesus as shepherd. Jesus as the one who takes care of us in our need. Jesus as the one who gives His life willingly on our behalf. No one else can do that. No undershepherd. No father, or mother, or son or daughter, or pastor, or friend, or king, or servant. Only Jesus can, and has.

But how has Jesus done that? How does Jesus take care of us? Where do we look? Do we look at our lives today? See if they’re going well? If that’s the case, then Jesus as Shepherd is hit or miss. Sometimes life turns out well, sometimes it doesn’t. Some days, you’re on top of the world, some days, the world punches you in the gut and takes your lunch money. If that’s where we measure how well Jesus is doing for us, then the results leave a lot to be desired. Because Jesus promises to not just be a sometimes shepherd, but the Good Shepherd. And not every day is good.

Well, maybe we should take into account that day to day isn’t the best way to measure, because sometimes the things we thought were bad ended up turning out good. That is true. And because of that, we don’t give up hope so easily. But there’s a problem there too. And the problem is bigger. Because eventually, one of those bad things will end up killing us. We are mortal. Which means that death already has a claim on all of us. And we will die. If Jesus is the shepherd who uses all things for His good, then why has everyone died? Because being dead is no victory. Being dead isn’t our hope. Death is the enemy. And from how full our graveyards and cemeteries are, it sure looks like death is winning. If we judge from this world, over time, then the results still leave a lot to be desired. Because Jesus promises to not just be a sometimes shepherd, but the Good Shepherd. And the long term prognosis so far doesn’t look good.

But Jesus doesn’t ever point us to ourselves. Jesus doesn’t ever point us to the world. Jesus doesn’t promise that day to day, you will be happy. Jesus doesn’t promise that death will never affect you. The place where Jesus points, the promise Jesus makes only comes from the resurrection. Jesus’ promise is the Easter promise. Because it’s only there that each day, and each death are overcome in victory.

The resurrection of Jesus reverses death. It undoes death. Makes it powerless. Because even when death catches you, or the ones you love, it has already been shown that Jesus is the way through. There is a future where all who have died in the faith will live forever, never to die again. Not just as spirits in heaven. But alive, in our physical bodies, with none of the sin we have today. And this has already overcome all the day to day problems. Already overcome every one of the life and death problems. Because about two thousand years ago, the a mortal human being walked out of His tomb alive and immortal for the first time. 

I lay down my life and pick it back up again is no throw away line. It has changed everything. Because by picking His life up again, death has been reversed. Sin, which causes death has been forgiven. And eternal life for those who have died is now available to all by grace through faith. Does Jesus help me day to day? Yes. Does Jesus make things work out through my life? Yes. But that’s not the promise. The resurrection is the promise. And there is where our hope rests. There are the green pastures where the Good Shepherd brings us. There are the cool waters of baptism we’re led to. There is the restoration of the soul, in the reunion with the body. 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. And at the end of it, we’re not dead, but alive. And not just alive, but with a head anointed, and a cup overflowing. With goodness and mercy all the days of our never-ending lives, as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

One day, this hope of ours will no longer be a hope. Because it will have already happened. And it will happen. Because He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Fulfilled in Christ

A Sermon on Luke 24:36-49 for the Third Sunday of Easter, series B

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What is the difference between these two sentences? “Everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” And, “Everything written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled around me.” In the first sentence, the amount of Scripture that needs fulfilled is only as big as the parts that speak about Jesus, whatever amount that is. In the second sentence, all of Scripture is fulfilled, because it’s all about Jesus. The first sentence is how our translation this morning reads. and you can indeed translate the Greek that way. But you can also translate it as the second sentence does, and I think that it better tells us just how big what Jesus did is. 

Jesus continues, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. If only the parts about Jesus are to be fulfilled, then we can certainly find the place in the Old Testament that clearly spells this out. Isaiah 53, the Suffering Servant. “we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities.” 

But what specific Old Testament text tells us to expect the resurrection of the Christ, particularly on the third day? If Jesus came to fulfill parts, where is this part? Granted, Job is the one who said, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” So if the Christ dies, then a resurrection makes sense. But why the third day? If Jesus is only a part of what the Old Testament has to say, then this a huge omission, because Jesus says it’s there. And there is no one single chapter and verse that we can point to at all.

But if all of Scripture is about Jesus, we no longer have a problem. Because every generation, every event, every word, is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. When Abraham had to sacrifice his son Isaac, Isaac’s reprieve came on the third day. And that was about Jesus. When Joseph was in prison, he told Pharaoh’s cup bearer that his reprieve was coming on the third day. And that was about Jesus. When God had Moses plague Egypt with darkness that covered the whole land, the darkness was lifted on the third day. And that was about Jesus. On the third day, when David fled without food from King Saul, the high priest fed him and his men with the holy bread of presence from the tabernacle. And that was about Jesus. 

The Prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah that his illness would be healed when he visited the temple on the third day, and when he arrived, it was. And that was about Jesus. Jonah emerged from the belly of the fish, where he was buried under the water of the ocean because of his sin on the third day. And that was about Jesus. And so many others, all over in the Old Testament. The third day is when life, healing, and restoration happens. And that was about Jesus. Shouldn’t it then make sense that the resurrection of the Christ be on the third day? The third day of creation is where the trees bore fruit. And it was on the third day that the fruit of the tree of the cross was fully ripened in the resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

But what else is written? What does Jesus say? Repentance will be preached in His name. Now there’s the subject we don’t like to hear about. At least, I don’t like to hear about it, so I just assume no one else does either. Because to have repentance preached to us means that we did something wrong. I don’t like to think I ever did anything wrong. And if accused, I will justify myself. I’ve got practice. I’m good at it.

Therefore, I don’t want to hear about repentance. The old, sinful Adam in me turns it off. Let the God of the Old Testament talk about repentance, I’ll stick to Jesus. But do we think that just because Jesus has come, we suddenly stopped doing the very things that made His death necessary to begin with? That we have no need to repent like the people of old? Or that Jesus Himself didn’t just spend his entire ministry telling everyone to repent? Or that today’s Gospel lesson doesn’t contain repentance preached to us in particular? 

In our Thursday morning Bible Study, we’re going chapter by chapter through the book of Isaiah. And the Lord has mountains to say about our need to repent. Not just in Isaiah, but all over the Old Testament. And what was said all those years ago is still true today. You and I both need to repent of our sins. We need to turn from them. Acknowledge that we are in fact wrong. And place our hope in the mercy of God rather than our own goodness, which doesn’t exist. I have sinned. I have loved myself rather than God. I have hurt my neighbor. And I have tried to make the argument that it’s totally okay that I did. Jesus tells you and I both, “Repent.” We must betray that old Adam inside us that thinks itself to be god. And turn instead to the One who actually is God. 

But repentance isn’t preached alone. There is one more thing that is written. One more thing about Jesus that He has done to fulfill the Scriptures. And that is the forgiveness of sins. That’s why Jesus died and rose. That’s why Jesus shows them His hands and feet. Why Jesus shows that He’s not a spirit, but flesh and bone. Because there is no greater gift in all creation than the forgiveness of sins. It’s better than the lame being able to walk. Better than sick being made well. It’s better than the dead being raised. Because those things only happen because of Christ’s forgiveness won.

Sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus is the Law of Moses, the Word of the prophets, and the Psalms and writings of all Scripture completely fulfilled. Everything else good that we receive flows from that point. Family, country, vocation, health, life, all of these are ours because Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sin. Without forgiveness, there isn’t even existence. With forgiveness, we have everything. 

That’s why that forgiveness needs proclaimed. This news is too good to not be shared. When Jesus says, “Peace to you,” it’s the peace of the Lord. The guy that we went to war with, because we wanted to be god in His place. The guy we did wrong to, and called it right. The guy we betrayed and left for dead. The guy we killed to take His inheritance. He is the one who now says to you: peace. 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are,” writes John in our Epistle today. That’s how thoroughly our sin has been forgiven. That’s the size of the Lord’s love for us. That’s what Jesus did. And in doing it, He has fulfilled all Scripture. Every word. Christ has given us the repentance to overturn the old, sinful self. And He has given us the forgiveness from which every other good gift is given. Thanks be to God.

Again and Again

An Easter season Sermon on John 20:19-31

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The story of doubting Thomas? Again? Didn’t we just do this one last year? We may be on a three year cycle of readings. But every year, on the Sunday after Easter, we get to hear about Thomas again. And it can feel like it’s again and again and again. Is there really anything new to say about Thomas that we haven’t heard before? But for old times sake, let’s hear the story once again.

Thomas was there. There that night when Jesus said, “this is My body, this is My blood.” There that night when Judas led the soldiers into Gethsemane. There when Jesus was taken into custody. And he was lucky to have escaped with his life. He knew Jesus had been crucified. He knew they had struck his dead body with the spear. He knew that a guard had been placed around the tomb. Thomas knew that he too was a wanted man, because he was a disciple of Jesus. If he weren’t careful, there would be no peaceful end for him.

Now imagine this scenario. The others had gathered, But Thomas thought it was too dangerous. The others wanted to remember Jesus, but the risk was too high. Thomas stayed away. Blended in with the crowds. Tried to avoid drawing attention to himself. And in doing so, he heard rumors. Rumors that Jesus had risen, just as He had promised. But before his excitement got too high he heard the soldiers say that the body had been stolen as they slept. Thomas didn’t know that they had been paid to say that. But the two stories together made sense to him. It sounds like something Peter would have come up with. Peter wasn’t big into doing things peacefully. Thomas remembered Malchus’ ear. And Thomas just wanted to be left in peace.

However, Thomas wasn’t surprised when the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” Sure they had. He believed they had rigged the whole resurrection, just as the guards had said. When they tried to persuade him further, Thomas would have none of it. Is that exactly how it happened? Maybe not. But if I were Thomas, I could see things going that way, to be sure. But we do know that he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

We have heard it said that all you have to do is believe. We talk about belief as if it were an easy thing to do. As if belief was just an action we can take. As if all we needed to to was try harder, and belief would come. As if it were as simple as deciding which color of socks to put on in the morning. Thomas shows us that belief, that faith, is not as easy as that. Because Thomas was there. He was there when Jesus turned the water into wine. He was there when Jesus fed the five thousand. He was there when Jesus healed the blind man. He was there when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He was there when Jesus did his signs again and again and again. And yet Thomas did not believe.

Thomas had the best possible circumstances under which to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And He did not. What makes you think it’s any easier for anyone else. Circumstances have never been that favorable, before or since. And it’s not just that Thomas was more stubborn than any of the others. Not one of the disciples believed. Not one of them were there at the tomb on the third day, waiting for Jesus to fulfill His promise. If it were up to us to believe, there would have never been a Church. Never been a ministry. Never been believers.

It’s a good thing that it’s not up to us. Jesus creates faith. The same way He created everything else. Through His Word. A Word Jesus speaks again and again and again. On day one of the week, Jesus came and stood among those ten disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” And then Jesus said it again. “Peace be with you.” It’s only by the disciples giving Thomas Jesus’ words that Thomas even shows up the next week. Because in those words are the promise of peace. Those words overcame the disbelief. Those words overcame the fear. Those words overcame Thomas and brought him to that room that night. And once again, Jesus says the same thing. “Peace be to you.” And that night, Thomas believed.

Yet, those words weren’t just for Thomas. Belief is created by the Word. And Jesus continually is creating that belief. Creating in the disciples. Creating in you. For these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.  What is written? The Bible has a lot of words in there. But they all point to Jesus. Jesus not only lived, but He lived for you. Jesus not only died, He died for you. Jesus not only rose, He rose for you. And that makes all the difference. Jesus doesn’t preach generic peace, but peace be with you, in the forgiveness of sin. And that peace is yours through His life, death and resurrection.

And that’s why it needed to be written. By writing down the Word of God, that belief, that faith is created every time that Word is revealed. Each time you come to church to hear, the Word creates faith. Each time you come to Bible study, the Word creates faith. Each time you read for your devotions, the Word creates faith. Each time you teach the Word to your children, the Word creates faith. Again and again and again.

We don’t need our text this morning to teach us something new. We need to be taught the same thing, the same basic concept again and again and again. That Jesus lived, died and rose again for you in order to bring you His peace. And Jesus creates faith in us through that.

Those old pastors who may have made you memorize a lot of Bible verses? They did so so that faith would always be created in you. Those old pastors who may have repeated themselves in their sermons? They did so that your faith was sure. For even Jesus preached the same thing again and again and again. Just like He does today. “Peace be with you, peace be with you, peace be with you.”

Sure it’s nice to hear something new each week. And it is absolutely true that there is enough in the Bible to bring something new each time you read it. But it’s not the new parts that are as important. For it’s the same old story that saves. It’s the same old Jesus that gives faith. It’s the same old writings again and again and again. Written so that you would believe. Written so that they would always be said again to you. Written so that Jesus would continually create faith in you, just like He did with His disciples. Create a clean heart in you, just as he did with Thomas. Create His resurrection in you, just as Christ is risen. And He is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

In Memoriam – Darrell Shoemaker

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

The question of what happens to you when you die is asked so many times by Christians, that it has become cliché. It has gotten to the point that most people roll their eyes when they hear it, and continue on with something else. The question never is even considered. To be fair, life is busy. There just isn’t time with work and play, entertainment and responsibilities to sit down and think about it. Besides, most people just think of what they wish would happen, and imagine that’s what’s happens when you die. No critical thinking. No evidence. Just happy thoughts, and people are content with that.

Darrell wasn’t content to leave things that way. He wanted to think them through, best he could. But, like all of us, didn’t always have the chance, because there was always something else to do. His life before cancer was full. But cancer slowly took those things he could do away. And it brought the age old question to mind. When I first met Darrell, he was already fighting cancer. The things that he loved to do were already getting more difficult. He had more time than ability at that point. And in that time, he had thought of a number of questions. He definitely wasn’t afraid to ask them. Some of them were easy to answer. Some weren’t. But it’s when you’re facing death yourself that you finally get around to trying to answer the question of what happens when you die.

Nearly everyone answers that question with ‘depends, am I a good person?’ What do we expect to happen if we’re good?If I am, then good things happen, if not, bad things happen. It’s an intuitive answer. It’s what most people think. However, as long as we’re up and around, as long as we’re actively working, we almost always judge ourselves as good, no matter who we are. I’m good, because my intentions were good. I’m good, because I’m better than that guy. I’m good, because I did so much out there.

But let me let you in on a little secret. It’s one I’ve learned as a pastor visiting people who are near death. The assurance we have in ourselves when things are going well doesn’t hold up when things go south. the assurance that I am a good person is slowly lost as death approaches. It becomes I like to think I was a good person. Then, I hope I was a good person. Then, I’m worried that I wasn’t a good enough person. I should have done better. I have so many things I wish I could go back and make right. Are you sure God will have me? It gets worse and worse.

This too is intuitive. When things are going well, it must be because I’m so good. When things are going badly, it must be because I’m not. And there’s nothing that goes worse for us than the process of dying. Darrell, when I would visit, would lie there and sometimes say, “I sure hope I did okay.” Everyone says that. And it was at that moment that he needed to hear the most counter-intuitive message the world has ever heard. The most comforting message that the world has ever heard. Even though you didn’t do as well as you ought, Jesus already did it for you.

You see, all of us have what is called sin. That time we did something wrong. When we hurt someone instead of helping them. When we looked out for only ourselves, and left our fellow human beings to fend for themselves. We can shrug all that off for a while. But when we’re left with them, it really starts sinking in just what we have done. Nobody else did those things. I did. And that wasn’t okay. A price needs to paid to make it right. And I can’t pay that price. It’s then that all the self-justifying in the world doesn’t matter. And the beauty of the good news that Jesus has taken all your sin away shines brightest.

Because that’s what Jesus did. God, the creator of the whole universe, became a human being. Born of a virgin named Mary about two thousand years ago in the heart of the Middle-East. God became flesh in real history, and was given the name Jesus. He lived the same life that you, I, and everyone do. But being God, He lived without sin. He did that, so that He could stand in as our substitute. Jesus paid the price for the sin of the whole world when He was crucified under Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. God died for each and every one of us. God died for Darrell. God died for me. God died for you. And by His death, He has forgiven every sin. They’re all paid for. So that you no longer have to wonder if you’re good enough when death comes. Because even when you’re not, Jesus has already made you right by His blood.

That Jesus had already forgiven Darrell was the greatest comfort Darrell had ever heard. And he held that promise close to his heart through the whole thing. At first, he didn’t want a service held for him after he died. He didn’t think it was worth going through all of what he called ‘falderal.’ But this comfort, this was the comfort Darrell wanted to share with all his family and friends. That He wanted to share with you. The good news that Jesus has already died for you. Your sins have all been forgiven. And there is no need to wonder any more. And Darrell wanted you all to hear that.

But why should you believe it? Isn’t that just what we wish would happen? Is that why we imagine that’s what’s happens when we die? Is there any critical thinking? Any evidence? Or is it all just happy thoughts, that people are content with? Do you honestly think Darrell would have held so tightly to Jesus in his last days if it were merely that? No, the evidence is in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The eye witnesses gave their story. Hostile witnesses backed it up. Every piece of credible evidence points to the tomb of Jesus being empty. And fishermen, fishermen willingly underwent the most painful tortures ever devised rather than deny their story. Not for money, or for power, but because they believed it actually happened. Jesus rose from the dead, and that changes everything. Darrell believes because it didn’t make any sense to him not to.

That resurrection of Jesus is what we celebrated here just this last Sunday. That resurrection is in each of the passages we just read. Jesus’ disciple Peter confessing the resurrection to the same people who would arrest him, torture him, and want him dead. Jesus Himself telling Mary, Lazarus’ sister that He is the resurrection and the life. And Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. That passage there was the last one I got to share with Darrell. That Jesus’ resurrection would not be Jesus’ alone. But it will be coming for all. Darrell will live again. Body and soul reunited. Put back together again. Never to die again.

That is why we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Make no mistake, we still grieve. We still shed our tears. But because of Jesus’ resurrection, death is not goodbye forever. It is instead a ‘see you soon.’ We know what the end of Darrell’s story is. It is him alive with Christ. And alive with all those who trust in Christ too. And Darrell said he wants to see all of you there. That’s why in the end, he wanted a service today.

Darrell is with Jesus, not because Darrell did it all right. Or because he was good enough. Darrell is there because Jesus paid his way completely, apart from anything Darrell did or didn’t do. Darrell is forgiven. And you are too. The blood of Jesus has washed away every sin. And the creator of the whole universe willingly endured even death all for you. Thanks be to God.