A Funeral Sermon for Laverne Florer: "Jesus is Your Resurrection and Life"

+ In Memoriam - Laverne Florer, June 7, 1925 – April 29, 2014 +

Job 19:23-27

John 11:17-27

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

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die forever.

As Mary and Martha mourned the death of their brother, Lazarus, this seemed the farthest thing from reality. Resurrection? Eternal life? How can that be possible? Death is final. Death is the last enemy. How can Jesus say that?

Jesus speaks as if death is utterly weak and empty; as if death is not final; as if death is powerless over him and anyone who believes in Him, that is, anyone who is baptized, who is God’s own child such as Laverne. And that is precisely what he means. This is the unending joy of Easter.

I AM the resurrection and the life.

Jesus was crucified. Jesus died. Jesus was laid in the tomb. He traveled the road each of us must go – death and the grave. But Jesus didn’t stay in his tomb. And neither will you, neither will Laverne. No matter what the movies or people tell you, death is not the end. This grave is not Laverne’s final resting place. This is temporary. Jesus will call Laverne from her grave as quickly and easily as He did for Lazarus: “Arise! Come out! Unbind her!” And he’ll say the same to each of us too. How? Certainly not by our own reason or strength. But by Jesus’ word:

I AM the resurrection and the life.

Jesus rose. Jesus lives. Jesus conquered death by dying and destroyed the power of death by his resurrection. Ordinarily, dead men don’t rise. To be sure, Jesus is a man, but he is no ordinary man. He is God of God; Light of Light; very God of very God. He is the first man in the history of the world over whom death has no power. Before Jesus death quakes and surrenders. In Jesus death is not final. Death doesn’t get the last word – not for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; not for Laverne or you either. Death is undone. Powerless. Finished. Jesus gets the last word.

I AM the resurrection and the life.

Jesus says this not for his own sake, but for Mary and Martha, for Jeff and all who mourn for Laverne. Jesus says this for you. Notice Jesus says this in the present tense: I AM the resurrection and the life. It’s a promise you can trust today and forever. It’s not just some event down the road or off in the distant future. Jesus is your resurrection and your life, today. Right now. His word is sure. You can trust it and believe him when he says

I AM your resurrection and life.

This was the faith Laverne confessed, the faith she was given at baptism, the faith that sustained her throughout her life, whether she was desperately ill or feeling well, having a good day or a day that seemed worse than death itself. For though she struggled with her memory and dementia there is someone who has a greater memory and recalls everything He has done for her, Christ her Lord.

Jesus held onto Laverne even though it looked to us as if she had lost all grip on life. Nothing and no one is stronger than those hands, Jesus’ hands, lifted up, pierced, and fixed to the cross for Laverne, and you, and the whole world. Jesus’ death and resurrection is stronger than your death and mine, stronger than Laverne’s too. Jesus’ hold on Laverne was stronger than any doubt, fear, or illness. For Jesus is also Laverne’s resurrection and life.

I AM the resurrection and the life.

Although we grieve Laverne’s death. We do not grieve without hope. In the midst of our grief and sorrow, Jesus speaks to us as he did to Mary and Martha. Jesus comes to you in your grief: today, and in the days and years ahead. Joy bursts through our tears. Jesus speaks his bold promise to you, the very same word of consolation He gave to weeping Mary and Martha, a promise that is as sure and certain as His death and resurrection. A promise that has no expiration date, no fine print, conditions, or strings attached. A promise that is older than the foundations of the world, yet is new every morning; a promise that sustains you today and for eternal life.

I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die forever.

“Oh that my words were written!
    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all human understanding guard your hearts in Christ Jesus, to life everlasting. Amen.