Garlan Jacobson - Memorial Homily

Introduction

There’s a wonderful photograph that Patti and Garlan showed me once, of the whole family together. Garlan and Jack are seated with Dave, Patti, and Susan before a Christmas tree.

After Jack passed, Garlan's shoulders had to bear a heavy burden, and yet she stood.

Your presence here is a testimony to this woman’s manner of life for nearly ten decades. Perhaps you wonder how she did it.

And maybe there was another question that came up as Patti told us about her beloved mom. Patti said that Garlan did not know Jesus, but she took the kids to church. She only became a Christian in the 1970s. What could that mean?

There’s an even more important question for all of us here today, as we mourn Garlan’s passing and celebrate her life: What should we do in light of it all?

The answer begins with the Bible passages you’ve heard read this morning.

I have three brief remarks for you. A word of calling, of comfort, and of courage.

I. A word of calling (1 John 1:9)

Earlier, 1 John 1:9 - a letter written by the apostle John (one of Jesus’s original followers who was sent out by Jesus to proclaim His message):

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Garlan took the kids to church, and taught them about heaven, and this was good. But there’s a difference between doing religious things and knowing God personally. That’s what changed for Garlan in the 70s.

In another place in the Bible, another apostle, named Paul, says that

Philippians 3:8–9 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

These two passages are two facets of the same diamond. The Good News they tell is this:

Whether we’re outwardly religious or not, everyone needs forgiveness of unrighteousness, and righteousness from God. Patti and Dave would tell you that for all their mother’s courage and sacrifice, she was still a sinner, which is just a biblical way of saying that she did not fulfill God’s perfect standard of goodness and Godliness. Not one of us does.

A memorial service gives us a chance to reflect on the fact that each one of us will one day have a grave with two dates on it. None of us, not even Garlan, can stand before God on our own merits and enter heaven, because our unrighteousness will keep us out.

But the apostles Paul and John had a message and a calling for you and me:

Instead of being judged guilty because of our sins, and spending eternity apart from God’s blessings and presence, if you know Jesus Christ, your sins will be forgiven and His righteousness will be yours by faith.

God’s loving plan for sinners like me and like you was that He would become one of us, and fulfill His own righteous Law in our place // and though he was blameless, he would suffer a sin-bearing death in our place by being nailed to a cross of wood, and be buried // and on the third day He was raised to new life, never to die again // and everyone who confesses their sins and believes in Him will be saved, and will know Him and the power of His resurrection.

Garlan knew Jesus, and now her faith has turned to sight. You can know Him, too.

II. A word of comfort (Isaiah 41:10)

Centuries before Jesus was born, one of the Old Testament prophets who spoke about Him said this:

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The word of comfort is that every person who puts their faith in Jesus Christ becomes a child of God. He promises His presence, power, and protection. Like a strong and loving father holding his little boy, little girl.

Up to this moment, your every breath has been a gift from God, who is good to all. Perhaps today, you can look back at the valleys and trials where you wondered, “What were we thinking?” But somehow, you got through. The comfort of knowing Jesus is that you will know the strong One who strengthens His children, and not only in this life, but into eternity.

Friends, Garlan’s shoulders were strong, but they weren’t broad enough for the task she had. But even before she knew Jesus, He was already helping her. After she came to know Him, she could see where He’d been her strength all along.

That same strength can uphold you in the unknowns today and tomorrow. So heed His calling and be comforted by His promise - He will be your God, your strength, your help, your righteousness.

III. A word of courage (Matthew 6:31-34)

And finally, a word of courage.

Here are the words of Jesus as yet another apostle, Matthew, records them:

Matthew 6:31–34 ESV

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Do you see how all of these passages fit together? Every one of them has to do with the character of God towards those who trust Him.

Garlan had natural courage, but it was supernatural courage that really made the difference.

Jesus says that people who don’t know God are anxious because they believe it’s all on them to figure it all out. But we can’t. We don’t even know what troubles tomorrow will bring.

But Jesus says that if God is your Father, none of this is too big for the shoulders of the One holding you up. So, he says, seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Put knowing Him through Jesus above everything else.

And God will take care of you. Take courage.

The last time I saw Garlan, she was in the hospital. We spoke a little bit, and prayed together. I asked her if she was trusting in Jesus. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “Oh, yes. More than ever before.”

Garlan had courage even in her greatest trial, because she knew the One who held her up. God can take care of you. Hear him calling, receive His comfort, and know His courage, as Garlan did.