Robert F. Dickson: Service of Witness to the Resurrection Pastoral Reflection

Romans 8:14–23 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wisdom of Solomon 3:1–7 NRSV

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.

Wisdom of Solomon 3:9 NRSV

Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

Wisdom of Solomon 5:15–16 NRSV

But the righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them.

It is always difficult when a loved one moves from this mortal part of creation to the everlasting part of creation. We hear comforting words from friends and family who want to ease our pain – “He’s with God now.” “He’s in a better place.” “He’s at rest.” As true as those words are, those who are left behind still have to deal with the grief that comes with saying goodbye.

That is, in part, because those common words we say and hear at times like this are often separated from the promises of Scripture like those we have just read. Surely the promises we read in the Bible are the foundation of these condolences, but we still need to hear them.

We need to be reminded of what exactly those promises look like. These words this morning from the letter to the Romans and from the Wisdom of Solomon help to bring some shape for us to the idea of Bob being with God.

As goodbyes are said here and mourned over, we gain strength through that image of God’s promise to those who put their trust in God’s strength and grace and abundance. It doesn’t erase our pain, our grief over being separated this soon from a loved one. But it does give us the energy and strength to continue here and to follow God even in the tiring, difficult times.

And it reminds us that we are still connected. Those who enter into the presence of God before us are no longer here where we can physically see or hug them, but they are connected to God irrevocably, and are still part of the great collection of saints to which all of God’s people still here belong. This great cloud of witnesses as we call it gathers in worship together. Every time we gather in worship, we gather with all the saints past, present, and future. As we sing and read and pray together this morning, we do so with the confidence that Bob sings and reads and prays with us.

Friends, even today, may you be given the power and strength of God in the knowledge that you are not alone. Not only are you not alone, there is nothing that can separate you from God’s love - the love so great that it never allows us to truly be disconnected. Rest on God’s strength today and in the days and weeks to follow as you say goodbye – sharing your memories of this loved one who was such an important part of the lives around him.

Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary: Year B, Volume 4 Theological Perspective

The passage celebrates human connection with the deceased and insists that human perceptions regarding the dead are not as they seem.