Funeral of Laura O'Connor

Many Christians do not believe that children can enter the kingdom of God through Holy Baptism. But far from being an exception, Jesus holds up little children as the model for those who enter the kingdom. And He says to us adults, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:3) In other words, if there are questions about who can be saved, these questions concern adults, not so much children. Whoever said that children can’t have faith doesn’t know any three-year-olds. Because if you promise your three-year-old daughter that you will take her to the zoo later today, will she believe you? Absolutely. Will she forget your promise? Not in a thousand years. And not only that, she will never let you forget your promise.

That is an example of faith: hearing the promises of Jesus, believing the promises of Jesus, and never letting Jesus forget what He has promised. We call this “child-like faith” because children are especially receptive to it. When God gives faith to a child, the child embraces that faith wholeheartedly. On the other hand, when God gives faith to an adult, we are often much more cautious and skeptical. And this is why Jesus says, “Unless you become as little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Laura is an example to us of a woman with this child-like faith. She heard the promises of Jesus,  and she believed them with her whole heart. It’s as simple as that. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe” (John 11:25–27).

And everyone here who knew Laura knows that this is true. Her faith in Jesus’ promises was not complicated. He said it. She believed Him. She embodied what Jesus meant when He said, “You must become as little children.” Of course, Laura was also a sinner, as is every person in this room. But getting into heaven has never been about not sinning. It’s all about trusting in the One who takes away your sin. And because she trusted in Him completely, Laura did not fear or doubt what came next after death. She died fully expecting to be carried by the angels to the presence of her Savior, because this is the future that Jesus has promised to every one of His dear Christians.

Do you fear the hour of your death? Are you troubled by your sins? You need not be. Listen to the promise of Jesus, a promise which He has now kept for Laura, “Comfort, yes, comfort my people!” says your God. “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” (Isaiah 40:1, 9–11)

I think that the picture on the front of the bulletin is perfect. There is our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd. And there is Laura, His dear lamb. And as she heard His voice and followed Him in life, now she has followed Him into the greener pastures of heaven. And there she has no need of the child-like faith that sustained her in this life, for she has reached the end of faith and the fulfillment of everything that Jesus promised. Amen.