Paul's Graveside Service

We are sad today. We have come to say good-bye to someone we love. That is not easy. Some of us knew him only slightly or because of what we were told. Some of us know him because he cared for us or our children. His family knows him as a loving, devoted father and grandfather. They will cherish warm memories as long as they live.

We have also come here today to celebrate. The Bible tells us that "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one of his saints." (Psalm 116:15)

Wednesday evening, the Lord looked down and said, "My son, you have waited long enough. It is time for you to come home now." He was keeping the promise he made through the prophet Isaiah, "He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs together in his arms and carry them in his bosom." (Isaiah 40:11)

We all know that the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes penned "there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep, and a time to laugh." (Ecclesiastes 3) Today, we are sad. That is at it should be - but our grief is for one another, not for God's saint. He has gone through the open door to a far more beautiful life.

The Apostle Paul said, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better" than to live on earth. (Philippians 1:21-23)

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, stood on the Isle of Patmos and looked over into eternity. He wrote to us "One of the elders said unto me, What are these who are arrayed in white robes? Where did they come from? And I answered him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sits on the throne shall live among them. They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst. For the Lamb that is in the midst of them shall feed them and shall lead them to living fountains of water. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:9-17) Imagine that! God himself shall wipe away our tears.

Jesus had earlier said, "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many abiding places. I go to prepare a place just for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except by me." (John 14:1-6)

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul assured us of the resurrection. "I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep. I don't want you to sorrow like those who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then we know that those who have died will be brought by God to live with him. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and the with trumpet of God. The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together in the air and we shall ever be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Paul did not stop there though. He also told us that "you know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes as does a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5:2)

He told us to be prepared for the coming of the Lord at a time unknown to any of us. Just this week, the day has come for students on a bus, travelers on an icy road, and a saint on his farm. None of them knew that the day of the Lord was so near. Paul told us to be ready "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

We have heard the comfort of God through his word and have been reminded of our own needs. Still we might ask - Why Melvin? Why now?

There are some answers in Romans 11:33-36:

How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge!

Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways?

As the Scripture says, Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice? Who has ever loaned him anything so that he had to pay it back?

For all things were created by him and all things exist through him and for him.

To God be the glory forever!

We don't understand. We don't have to. God knows. He sees the big picture. He knows that this is the right time. We just have to trust him. That's all we can do.

Melvin sees the big picture now. He sees God in all his glory. Today he stands strong and powerful in his presence. He finished his race with grace and dignity and victory. Now he is cheering you on. He is telling you that you can do it too.

He sees how strong your faith is. He sees your smile in spite of your sorrow. He wants you to share eternity with the Lord - and with him.

Let us take our sorrow and our need to God in prayer.

Holy Father, creator of all that is,

whose Son is our redeemer

and whose Holy Spirit is our strength

- three in one -

comfort us in our loss.

Give us your strength as we deal with the days ahead.

Fill us with memories of happier times.

Remind us of childhood romps and school day challenges.

Remind us of hugs and smiles and encouragement.

Thank you for letting us have Melvin in our lives 

for far too short a time.

Help us to be to someone else what he has been for us.

Amen