Memorial - Prescila "Ching" Reyes

We are gathered to celebrate the life of Prescila Reyes.

As Christians who have set our hope on Christ, we don’t mourn as those who have no hope. Because we have hope in Jesus.

But around these times where we lose someone we love, many are more open to thinking about their own eternity.

And when we consider the celebration of life for a believer, this is their last opportunity to share the hope that they had in Jesus so that you may look at their life and embrace that hope.

For Prescila, her hope was without question in Jesus.

And that hope was passed to her children and grandchildren.

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

So if she were here, what would she tell us?

One of her favorite passages was Philipians 4:6-7. Prescila was a prayer warrior. And she enjoyed a powerful prayer life.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

At times like this, we need to be reminded not to be anxious about anything.

There is so much to worry about right now. On top of the sadness and grief of Prescila’s passing, we still live in the world she left behind. From COVID to politics to economics.

Do not be anxious about anything. What is the antidote to anxiety? Prayer.

Pray when you are sad and filled with grief.

Pray when you are worried about life.

Pray when you feel like you can’t move forward.

Pray in everything. But don’t forget to be thankful.

In our grief, and wishing we had more time, it’s easy to forget the good times. Let our prayer remind us of God’s goodness in giving us the time that we had.

And we are given a promise. This is a promise that only prayer warrior’s like Priscila get to fully enjoy. The promise of peace.

Have you ever seen someone who has a peace that doesn’t make sense? In the midst of the storms of life they seem to glide through with ease? You’re probably looking at a person of prayer.

God’s peace transcends understanding because if it made sense, we could take credit for it.

Prayer also guards our hearts because we stop worrying and start trusting God.

Make your requests known to God. Do not be deceived into believing that God has better things to do than to worry about your problems. God rejoices in hearing from His children. He wants to hear from you. And God is big enough to hold the world in His hands and to listen to you.

The second thing that Priscila would tell us is that Heaven is real. In times of grief, we are most impressionable regarding eternity. The death of a loved one opens the lives of family members, friends, and even casual acquaintances to the vision of heaven.

Where Priscila is today is a definite locality, not just a spiritual state. She’s not floating around on some cloud, as Jesus made so clear: “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2–3). The language that Jesus uses indicates that he has prepared permanent rooms, dwelling places for his children—real, habitable, personal abodes. What a thought! It is difficult for us to grasp, and it was not easy for the original writers to communicate.

Priscila is in an abode designed for her by the architect of the universe and the Savior of her soul. Her room is perfect for her, because he has always known her every thought and desire. It is more than she ever conceived of or wished for. This is not sentiment. This is reality—eternal reality. This said, it is a wonder that believers try to delay their entrance into heaven as long as possible.

The apostle Paul had it right: “I am hard pressed.… My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil. 1:23). It is always “far better” to be with Christ. It is “far better” whether you are nine months or nine years or nineteen or thirty-nine or eighty-nine.

We know where Priscila is, and it is so much better than anything she experienced here on earth. So when Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1), he means it. In fact, it is a command!

Priscila is also in a glorious state because of what is not there. There is no longer any death. Jesus says of departed believers, “They cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36). Relentless, unremitting, eternal life courses through their souls.

As a pastor, I have seen death far more than I wish. It is not natural. Adam and Eve were not created to die. Death was “naturalized” by sin. It is always wrenching, regardless of the godliness of the departed. A beloved family member or friend is torn from this earth—from us! It hurts. But now, for Priscila there is no death.

What a great thought! Those in heaven will never again experience death and separation. The dark specter will never come. Here we sorrow. And it is right that we do so. Love invites sorrow. Deep love; deep sorrow. Our Lord himself wept tears over young Lazarus and his sisters, though he would raise Lazarus from the dead. And at this moment, Christ sympathizes with our human pain and mourning, because as God incarnate, he experienced human sorrow. Tears are a language he understands.

But now for Priscila, there is no sorrow.

Revelation says that in heaven, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). We have had tears, and rightly so. But not so with Priscila.

Though the stars fade and the sun turns to ice, she will never suffer hurt, bereavement, grief, or even a lump in her throat.

For Priscila, there is no longer any pain. It’s tough to suffer the process of aging, as did Priscila. It’s tough to suffer the ravages of death, as did Priscila. But in heaven, there is no pain, ever. In fact, there is no weariness—no need to end a conversation because of an ache. Neither is there ever the pain of misunderstanding and hurt feelings.

No relational sorrow of any kind. Free, open, unimpeded, unending exchange.

Along with this, there is nothing that defiles. Revelation again says of heaven, “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27).

Heaven is glorious because of what is there. Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of heaven. As the hymn puts it: “The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s Land.” And Priscila has seen him and has become like him, as the Scriptures promised: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). So Priscila is right now like him!

The third thing she would tell us is to embrace Jesus as your Lord and Savior while you still can.

For the believer and the unbeliever:

• Everyone we meet is of great importance. They all are made in the image of God; they are immortal souls. And their destiny rests on whether they believe the gospel or not.

• Jesus Christ is the sole hope of every soul.

• Christ’s death was sufficient for her sins and, indeed, for the sins of anyone who comes to him.

• The gift of forgiveness comes from grace alone, not by works: “If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Rom. 11:6).

• Salvation comes by faith in Christ: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8–9).

She would urge us to give first priority to these matters, “for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). As for Priscila herself, she would tell us not to mourn for her because, though she has experienced death, now she is perfect, complete, and whole. She is “with Christ,” which is “far better” (Phil. 1:23). But we will only see her again if we embrace Christ.

So today, when your heart is open, follow Priscila’s example. Pray. Consider Heaven. Embrace Jesus.

Let’s pray.