Greater Love

Introduction

“At least I have a better lawn mower.” Spoken to Tim

That comment also has a hidden meaning. It was hard for Earl to let go of the fact that he was losing control. He couldn’t care for his lawn as he used to.

Some of you may remember that he broke his pelvis when he feel off his ladder. He was going to do it himself. Earl had a servants heart. It was much easier for him to help another person than it probably was for him to receive the help.

Tim, you had to remind him that in your house you were the general and he was the sergeant.

When you live to 91 you experience a great deal of loss. Earl experienced that loss of the last few years. He couldn’t hunt and fish. He couldn’t travel.

And when Ruth died, he couldn’t care for her like he had as she suffered from dementia. I will always remember Earl’s servant heart as he cared for her. How it broke his heart to have to put her in a memory care facility.

For this reason, I’ve chosen words of Jesus from the upper room (Read John 15:12-17)

Transition: Earl reflected God’s love by laying down his life for his bride.

Laying Down Our Lives

When we think about laying down our lives for others, I can’t help but mention how Earl reflected that attitude in his love for this nation and serving in the Air Force. Years of dedication, though he had about had enough when the reason for his retirement was that his last duty station was supposed to be Iceland.

More importantly, was the love that Earl had for Ruth when Ruth’s life took a turn that wasn’t fair.

Earl’s family told me that God had worked an amazing change in Earl’s life when Ruth developed dementia. She always cared for him, now he cared for her.

Jesus said that no greater love has another person than that that person lay down his life for someone else.

This is what Jesus did for Earl. God called Earl his friend and laid down his life for him.

God gave Earl the gift of forgiveness, life and salvation because of Jesus. Forgiveness is important as Earl struggled to live the life that God had called him to, just like you and I do.

As a result of this forgiveness, Earl is with the church triumphant and with the King of kings. He sees the Lamb who was slain for him.

As a result of this forgiveness, Earl will rise from the dead when Jesus returns.

Transition: Jesus says something else very important about what happens when we lay down our lives for other people. He says that we will bear fruit that will last. In other words, laying down our lives for others leaves a legacy that lasts for eternity.

Fruit That Will Last

Earl’s legacy will live on in you. You will tell stories of how Earl affected your lives. Those stories will encourage you on in your faith journey.

When we gather for a funeral there are a lot of stories that are shared. One of the greatest struggles I have with this COVID-19 situation is that we don’t have receptions after funerals here at Holy Cross. I love to see people telling stories of about the person who had died.

Eventually, these stories of Earl’s life will fade away, people will not know about his love for Ruth, or will they?

Each one of us here today or participating with us online are the product of stories of other people who lived their faith in Jesus Christ. We might not know the details, but their legacy lives on.

Earl’s fruit of love and service for Ruth and for others, will live on until Christ returns. That’s how God works.

This reminds us that living our faith in Jesus also bears fruit and that fruit will live on until Jesus returns.

Conclusion

It might be true that Earl had a better lawn mower than you had Tim, however, greater than any lawn mower is the love that God has for us in Jesus, a love which was reflected in Earl and continues to be reflected in us when we lay down our lives for our friends. Amen