Jesu Juva

Text: Psalm 23; Matthew 28:1-10

Note: Time restrictions for funerals and committals at Arlington are very severe, so this meditation is quite short to fit within the allotted time.

The Lord is our Good Shepherd, even when He doesn’t seem like it. No, especially when He doesn’t seem like it. When we’re tired and need to lie down in green pastures. When our soul needs restoring. When it seems like nothing is going your way. When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Days like today. Days like February 13th, when your father, grandfather, and friend was taken away from you. Our Good Shepherd is certainly there in the good times, on the good days. But it is especially days like today, when the green pasture we’ll soon be in is dotted with white stones with the names of loved ones. So we come to His house to hear His voice. For the comfort, goodness, and mercy we need.

And what we heard today is that this green pasture in which Roy’s body will lie down and rest is NOT his final resting place. Over his life, Roy was able to lie down and rest in many places, many countries, and now his body will rest here for a while, with his dear Audra.

But that this is not the end of Roy’s life we know, because of what we heard today - that Jesus rose from death - a horrible death! - to life again, and has promised that same resurrection to life to all who are in Him. Our Good Shepherd went through the valley of the shadow of death and emerged triumphant, and in Him, so will we.

Roy received that promise when he was baptized. For on that day, long before it was ever etched into a white tombstone, Jesus wrote Roy’s name in His Book of Life. Roy was His child. He was Roy’s Good Shepherd. Roy remembered that promise every time he made the sign of the cross. He relied on that promise when he confessed his sins and he heard those wonderful words, I forgive you. He rejoiced to hear that promise as he faithfully heard the preaching of the Gospel. And as he received the Body and Blood of Jesus at the altar, he knew that risen Body and Blood would raise his body and blood someday. And He will.

So now we wait for that day. You may come visit this grave from time to time, just as the women went to the tomb of Jesus that Easter morning. And one day, this grave will be empty, just as Jesus’ was. I don’t know when that will be, but I pray soon! So we can see Roy again, and I can meet Audra, who I heard so much about.

I used to joke with Roy these past few years about having a 100th birthday party for him - a really big blow out to celebrate! He didn’t quite make it, but almost. But even though I didn’t get to hold a party for him, Jesus will. An even bigger and better one, for it will be the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom - a feast which has no end!

Roy’s long life was filled with the goodness and mercy of the Lord that followed him all the days of his life, in so many ways. I knew some of them. I’ve heard some from many of you. He touched many lives. But now it is the final goodness and mercy of the Lord that we celebrate this day, even in the midst of our sadness. That even as Roy had to move to new homes a lot these past few years - from N. Mansfield Street to Heatherwood to Portsmouth Road to Emilia and finally to this hallowed ground - he is finally home. The words of the Psalm we heard, and that Roy so often said, now true for him: Surely goodness and mercy [did] follow me all the days of my life, and [now] I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

In the Name of (+) the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.