The Lesson Learned at Four Funerals
Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity (honor, difficulty) to attend four different funerals. All four of them were the result of tragic, unexpected deaths. My heart broke painfully for all four families.
In the midst of these crisis moments, I selfishly asked the Lord what I should be learning. (Selfish, because my learning something was not the main thing going on – far from it). And what did I learn? Once again the only life lesson that really matters. The Gospel is true.
While driving to one of the funerals, I listened to Tim Keller’s sermon called Real Friendship and a Pleading Priest. In the sermon, Keller takes us back to the difficult-to-understand event of Genesis 18:16-32, where Abraham approaches God to plead for the lives of the Sodomites. Keller does not hesitate to show this passage for what it is – a priest pleading for the lives of people who would mean him harm. And this passage does not hesitate to point us to Christ who stands as a high priest, pleading for the lives of guilty sinners.
In other words, in the midst of incredible separation, pain, brokenness, and heartache, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, came shining through in my own mind and heart as the only hope for sinners.
Furthermore, all four funeral services were focused on the Gospel. It was sung, it was spoken, it was celebrated. It was lifted up as the hope of the redeemed.
I am convinced more than ever, that the truth of Christ’s saving love and power, is the most vital truth any of us could ever know and embrace. Abraham learned that it is possible to be in corporate solidarity with the righteous, so that the wicked are saved because of the righteous (listen to Keller’s sermon). And so we must learn of our need to be in corporate solidarity (to be “In Christ” as Paul constantly teaches us), so that the righteousness of the One will cover the wickedness of the many.
Amazingly, the Gospel shines brightly against the backdrop of four tragic deaths. Lord, I’m thankful.