Death and life

I attended a funeral yesterday for my husband's Aunt Priscilla. From time to time, my husband and I talk about what we would like/would not like to have in our own funerals. Yesterday was a perfect example of what I do NOT want to have in my funeral. I won't get into it - but it sure did make me stop and think about what I DO want:

1. I want a Christ-centred service. No eulogy, no "tributes". 'Cause it's not about me and my "works"; it's about Jesus and His Finished Work on the Cross. That's where true hope and true comfort are found. I do not wish to give the impression, however subtly, that human works are connected to our redemption in Christ.

2. I would like my immediate family to receive Holy Communion immediately preceding the service to strengthen and console them. In the Eucharist, which we understand to be the very body and blood of Christ, we are connected to all the saints - those living and those who have gone before us.

3. I would like the following Scriptures used -

• The Old Testament Lesson: Zephaniah 3:14-17 Because it so beautifully expresses not only not only the promised redemption but also the Lord's love for me. He takes great delight in me! The Creator of the Universe rejoices. Over me. Try and get your head around that.
• Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 2:4-10 Two reasons: one, it is my confirmation verse and two, it points clearly to grace through faith in Christ as the way to salvation. Gift of God, people.
• The Holy Gospel: John 21:15-19 My very favourite Scripture. Actually, it needs to be paired with Peter's denial of Christ, to understand the true impact of what this verse means to me. See, I'm no theologian, but I think it's significant that Jesus asks Peter not once, not twice, but three times "Do you love me?". Imagine Peter. He has denied His Lord - THREE times - and then the Lord is put to death and Peter has no chance to take it back, to say "Wait! I didn't mean that!". And then...the Lord comes back from the grave and just how wretched do you think Peter felt then? Because of course he KNOWS that Jesus knows. This is how our blessed Lord demonstrates His grace and mercy to Peter: He reinstates him not once, not twice, but three times - once for each denial. It's just such a powerful reminder for each of us that He does the same for us. He never stops forgiving. He took it ALL upon Himself at the Cross. I think it makes for an appropriate funeral message, because when I am gone, who is to say what the totality of my life will look like? Perhaps it will look to others as if God's love won't be enough to cover my sin. This Scripture of John's reminds us: My sin - what I did or didn't do in this life - is not the measure of God's love. God's love is measured by the cross of Jesus Christ. (Credit goes to Dr. Norman Nagel for illuminating this final thought. )

4. I had a hard time choosing the hymns: there's so many I cherish! A rough cut (from which the pastor could then choose from) would look like this:

Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure

Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won

For All the Saints

Just As I Am Without One Plea

When Peace Like a River

I Know My Faith is Founded

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

If you're interested in the words and melodies of these hymns, they may be found here. They all focus on Christ and His work.

And finally, though this is not part of the funeral, (more part of the funeral planning process) I have decided to take the advice of a Christian financial planner that I know and the include following preamble to my will:

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"...You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8b)

With these words Jesus calls us to bear witness to the salvation which He won for all believers through His suffering and death on the cross.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spririt has come upon you..." (Acts 1:8a)

And with this promise He enables us to serve as His witnesses through the Holy Spirit working by way of the Word.

I, ______________, of the City of __________ and Province of ___________, being of sound and disposing mind and memory and being under no restraint, do make, declare and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all Wills and codicils hereto made by me.

First, realizing the uncertainty of this life I place full confidence and trust in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who promised: "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die" (John 11:25-26).

Second, knowing that the wages of sin is death, I believe that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, suffered and died for the forgiveness of all my sins, which I neither deserve nor merit, but receive as a free gift of God, who is rich in grace and mercy.

Third, I urge my heirs not to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but to take hold of the life which is life indeed through faith in Jesus Christ.

(Body of will follows.)

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My hope is that even in death, I will proclaim Christ crucified.