+Funeral for Robert W.+

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

We are not like the rest of the world. We who stand with Bob do not grieve like the rest. We grieve, because we are human. We know it is not a natural thing for us to die. You and I, we know that God did not intend it this way. However, we Christians do not grieve like the rest of the world.

We are like Bob in our faith. Bob trusted that his Lord would take care of him. Bob knew this.

Bob knew that he was a sinner just like you and all people and I am. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness. This is why Jesus came into our world. He came; sent to us by our Father that Jesus might be given up unto death. Jesus in this way paid for your sins and He paid for my sins. Bob knew this also.

‘Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease,
Amazing grace shall then prevail
In heaven’s joy and peace.’ (LW 509:4)

This understanding, this faith, was why Bob could live his life in peace. Because Bob knew he was baptized, he knew that he was also forgiven. So, Bob could truly love farming. Bob loved farming so much that even when his life was drawing to a close, he desired only to be in the cab of his tractor working the land. Bob only wanted to be out planting crops or out working and tending the fields or out harvesting the fruits of his labor given by our blessed heavenly Father’s hand. For it is God the Father who blesses our every work (Small Catechism II: 1st article).

Even when Bob was too old and sick to work the combine that was his only wish. He would have climbed back into the cab once more if his body would have allowed it.

Throughout his long life, Bob enjoyed God’s creation. He loved the land and worked it to bring forth a crop each year for his livelihood. In the midst of that, Bob cared for nature and the wildlife that lived in abundance in this area. For a long time, Bob would not allow hunting on his land. Even when he did, the geese still held pride of place. They were the exception. The geese were still not allowed to be hunted.

Bob’s faith lived itself out in his actions. As we are told to do, Bob loved his neighbor. He may not have been very obvious in the doing of this, but throughout his life Bob gave to different charities for the caring of others in their need. Bob took his Savior at His word (St. Jn. 4:50).

Even when he was not farming, Bob was doing things like teaching his nephew Justin how to do the work of farming. When Bob could no longer farm and Justin took over, Bob was still interested and involved with the work of the farm. He would question how things were going and offer advice or correction as needed. Though Bob was strong willed and had his way of doing things, he was yet gracious and kind to others. Especially for something like farming though also with others, Bob would always take the time needed to explain things correctly.

Bob lived his life as he did because he had been formed by God’s word and by the Holy Spirit in his baptism. Though Bob sinned, as we all also do, he knew he was forgiven. We have been given the same thing in Jesus’ death and resurrection. You have been given the forgiveness of your sins in baptism and so you will live forever in heaven with Bob and with Jesus. ‘Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord.’ (V. 17)

The hymn writer captures this promise and comfort of the Apostle very well:
‘Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.’ (LW 510:4)

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.