Funeral for Steve Davis

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus the True Vine

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus the True Vine

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Greater Love

This is such a tender time in someone’s life.

On the one hand, we are grateful.

Grateful for a life well lived.

Grateful for the memories that we share together.

Grateful that for Steve now suffering has ended, and peace has come.

And yet, we are sad.

Sad that we had to say goodbye sooner than we’d hoped.

Sad that while Steve’s life carries on in the Lord’s care, he is no longer here with us.

Sad that we might not hear that laugh, or get to feel that embrace, or enjoy time in our loved one’s company.

And maybe just a little bit scared?

Death can be a scary thing.

It’s shrouded in mystery and unknowing.

And yet, in this moment, in this room, I believe Jesus has a message for all of us.

Do not let your hearts be troubled.

As I was thinking about it, I think Steve lived a life that was so incredibly full of love, didn’t he?

As I was reflecting back on my memories of Steve, I don’t have many where he’s not smiling!

He loved to tell a good story.

He loved to have a good laugh.

He loved his work.

He really loved the Steelers, almost as much as he loved watching games with his friends.

And without question or hesitation, he deeply loved his wife Beth, his son Ben, and Kaitlyn, and the rest of his family.

Jesus tells us in this passage today that there’s only one commandment, only one thing you need to do to live in the light of Christ, and that’s to love one another.

And so I am confident that Steve has heard our savior say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I am confident beyond measure that Steve rests in the arms of our savior this very moment.

And yet, we are still left here today with our own grief and sadness.

But I believe that God has given us a set of gifts that we can share together today to walk us through our own grief and sorrow.

Three Gifts

Words from God

We can be reminded of what Scripture has to say to us about death.

That death is defeated in the person of Jesus Christ, as Paul put it “death is swallowed up in victory.”

That Jesus does indeed prepare a place for Steve, and for each and every one of us.

We can know for sure because of this that we will be reunited with Steve again.

We will see him again for sure.

The Word reminds us that Jesus meets us in our grief, comforts us, and reminds us that our hearts need not be troubled.

The Word reminds us Jesus is always with us, in the good times and the bad, in the sunshine and the rain, in the mundane and the sacred.

The Gift of our Memories

One of my favorite things to do as a pastor is to hear from families the stories they cherish about their dearly departed.

Truly one of the best parts about the street I grew up on was that neighbors are all really treated as family.

But still this morning it’s been great to be reminded of the stories of a life well lived.

I’ve heard about Steeler games and Boy Scout Trips and inside jokes that pastors probably shouldn’t repeat in a sermon...

Those memories, those stories that we carry with each other, those are a sacred gift from God.

Take some time today, perhaps at lunch with these dearly beloved gathered here today and listen to those memories.

Share those stories.

Laugh.

Cry.

Remember.

The Gift of Each Other

And by the way, God has given us the gift of each other.

Take a look around.

This is a room that is filled to the brim with those who Steve has impacted through his life.

This is a room filled with people who have been loved and loved well by Steve.

And this is a room full of people who are feeling similar things, and traveling similar grief.

Know that wherever you are on the journey of grief, you don’t walk alone.

Know that however sad we might be, we can be certain that Steve is at peace.

Know that Steve rests in the arms of the savior Jesus this very minute, this very second.

Know that we will see Steve again, in the great heavenly banquet to come.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Amen.