Funeral Sermon for Bernice Ruth Nickel

John 11:21-27

“A Love That Is Shared”

Introduction:  Beloved family and friends of Bernice, Leggy, Danny, Linda… Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We didn’t expect to be here today did we?  Only a few short weeks ago and Bernice was healthy and full of vim and vigor.  She had so much energy for life nobody could keep her down. Even when she struggled for breath she was full of vitality. She had plenty of pep and kick. It is obvious that she loved life. What was more obvious was her love for the people around her. She loved her husband Leggy. She loved all of you. And Bernice especially loved her Lord and Savior Jesus. She shared that love with all of us through her beautiful eyes and bright warm smile and in the way she lived her life. Then suddenly she became so ill she had to be hospitalized and just as suddenly and unexpectedly Bernice died.  We have come together in this place to mourn and shed tears of grief.  We have come to remember Bernice and the wonderful gift of God that she was to each and everyone of us.  We celebrate her life and love, which God gave her and centered on Jesus Christ, in whom Bernice found hope.  We are here because we need hope to, especially at this time and in the days and weeks and months to ahead.  We have gathered here because we, like Bernice, know that Jesus Christ gives us life and love that conquers even death.

I.                        Jesus - Our Only Hope in Life

In our text for today, we have the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  They were ordinary people as far as we know.  Their lives however became quite extraordinary when Jesus came to them where they lived in the town of Bethany.  Jesus became a part of their lives.  It is obvious that Jesus loved them.  He shared His love with them by becoming part of their lives. They in return loved Him.  Jesus came to them where they were at in the world, simply struggling to live in a world filled with adversity and pain.  In Jesus and in His Word they found hope and love – to live.

Jesus came into Bernice’s life.  When she was baptized she became His – forever.  From that moment on Jesus entered into her ordinary life and made it extraordinary.  From that moment on He never left her.  At her mother and Fathers feet she was taught about her own sinfulness and about the grace of God.  She came to know her loving Savior who had to lay His life down on the cross to pay for her sins and to give her life and to give her hope.  Through His Word the Savior shared His love with her. She, in turn, shared His love with you. This was quite evident to me as you gathered together in the hospital room to mourn her death together as a family that loves each other. But beyond your love she gave you an even greater gift. It is the gift and example of faith in her God. That which she was given she passed on to you. She taught you about your Savior, the one who would never abandon you. Her witness of faith and life was clear for all to see, and it was reflected in her confirmation verse, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We saw how she acknowledged the Lord in the love that Bernice and Leggy had for each other. It was evident in how she and Leggy regularly came to worship the Lord. We saw it as they regularly came to the Lord’s Table, where together they received the gifts of His body and blood through which they received His forgiveness and eternal life. They shared in this special gift one last time a week before the Lord took Her to Himself. Through her example, through their example we know that the “Lord is our light and salvation- whom shall we fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our lives – of whom shall we be afraid?” Together, with Bernice, we continue to share the love that our Savior has given to us. It is a love the cast out all fear, even the fear of living in this life without Bernice.

II.                        Jesus - Our Only Hope in Suffering and Death

There are many things in life that can cause people to despair and loose hope.  All of them are the result of man’s sinfulness.  Sickness and death are two of those things.  When Lazarus had become sick, Mary and Martha called for the Lord to come to Him.  They believed that Jesus had the power to heal.  Jesus did come but it seemed too late.  Martha greets the Lord with these words, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  In this life, even when we have faith, sometimes we have doubt and uncertainty about our Lords power and will for our lives.  During our final conversations Bernice spoke with certainty that she knew the Lord could heal her.  Even with this faith she struggled with the trials that her illness was causing her. She knew that the Lord was with her no matter what.  It is sometimes hard to wait on the Lord and to trust in His timing.  Through it all she remained faithful to her Savior. More importantly, her Savior remained ever faithful and true to Bernice. He never left her. He went through life with her. Then He went through death with her. Now she is with Him, at His side, embraced by His love.                  

       III.      Jesus - Our Only Hope of Eternal Life

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me, though he may die, yet shall he live.  And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”  In the midst of our fear and doubt an uncertainty we can be certain of one thing.  There is healing for Bernice and for us.  Bernice has been healed.  She is with our Lord as He has been with her everyday of her life.  Now she waits for the resurrection of her body.  Just as our Lord Jesus physically rose from the dead, she to will rise.  When Jesus died on the cross he gave us more than the forgiveness of sins. The scriptures say He took our sickness and death upon Himself and that by His stripes, the shedding of His blood we are healed.  On the cross He showed how completely He loved Bernice and us. And some day all who believe shall be joined together with the Lord.  There we will share the love that He has given us. Oh what a day that will be!

Conclusion:  Jesus calls us to believe in Him, that He is the Son of God who is to come into the world.  He shared His love with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  He shared His love with Bernice.  And He shares His love with us right now through His word.  He loves and cares for you.  He is with you.  Remember this in the days ahead as you grieve.  Bernice found hope and love in Jesus.  He is our only hope now and forever.     Amen.

Now, may the peace that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus.  Amen.