Christian
Funeral for Lucy Christiensen
+ November
28, 1929 – April 19, 2026 +
THE LORD IS MAKING ALL THINGS
NEW.
REVELATION 21:1-5
In
the name + of Jesus.
Lucy Christiensen lived to be 96 years old. That’s a long time. She had experienced a lot over her nine
decades of life. Some of it was
good. No doubt, she counted the birth of
her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren among the best things she
got to experience. Other parts of it
were not so good. Although she was
blessed with a marriage of 55 years, it came to a sad end when she had to bid
farewell to her beloved Don. She also
saw the heart-breaking loss of a son-in-law, Floyd.
At one point in her life, Lucy enjoyed
country dancing and throwing baseballs to her little friend, Bobby. As time went by, she was reduced to a wheelchair. It is something you might have expected when she
hit her 90’s. It may have been expected,
but it is hard to watch people get old. For that matter, it is hard to get old. Lucy’s time on earth ended on April 19, 2026. It also was somewhat expected, but it, too,
is hard to see.
The Bible reminds us of the reason why
death comes to us all. It says, “The
wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Whenever
Lucy came to the chapel services at Pomeroy Living, we had a confession of sins:
We are by nature sinners, and we prove it by our thoughts, words, and actions. Lucy freely confessed that. Sin is the reason death reigns in this
world. No one escapes death because no
one is sinless.
Our confession is an honest assessment of
who we are. Lucy was beloved by many,
and you all have fond memories of her. I
am not here to tell you to forget them. You
love your loved one for a reason. In the
same way, you have a fondness for one another.
But I am willing to bet you’ve had your share of spats and fights over
the years, too. This happens with sinners. Lucy was one of 13 siblings. There is no way they lived perfect lives
amongst each other. Siblings prove their
selfishness with fighting and rivalry. So,
rather than try to convince God that we are better than we are, we confess the
truth: We are sinners. The judgment against
us is deserved. The wages of sin is
death.
Lucy freely confessed it because her hope was
not in herself. Her hope was in her
Savior, Jesus. Jesus came into the world
to restore everything that sin has corrupted.
Jesus has come to make all things new.
To do that, he had to take away the sin that has corrupted everything.
Jesus made himself accountable for the
sins of all people. If Jesus bore our
sin, he had to die; for the wages of sin is death. Jesus was put to death on the cross. Though he was innocent and holy, Jesus died
the death of a sinner. He received the
punishment that sinners deserve—the wrath of God. That is where your sins were dealt with. Jesus suffered God’s damning judgment so that
you would receive God’s blessed favor.
Jesus suffered divine punishment so that you would receive a divine
pardon for all your sins. That is where Lucy
found her comfort, and it is the only place you will find yours, too.
Jesus has taken away our sins, but we
still see the reality of death. That is
because these bodies of ours are still stained by sin. They get old.
They experience pain and frailty.
Eventually, they give out. These
bodies of ours are not eligible to enter the heavenly kingdom because nothing
sinful can enter in. So, Jesus is not
done with Lucy yet. The Lord will make all
things new.
This body has been reduced to dust and ashes,
but it will be raised up new. St. Paul wrote,
“The Lord Jesus Christ ... will transform our humble bodies to be like his
glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).
The Savior who died to save us also rose from the dead. Jesus lives forever, and death has no mastery
over him. In fact, Jesus has authority
over death and the grave. On the Last
Day, Jesus will raise up all the dead and will judge all people. Lucy, of course, knew what her judgment was
already. She is covered in Jesus’ innocence;
for she was cleansed of all sin through her baptism. In baptism, Lucy received a new status—child
of God. So, when Jesus raises up her
body, it will be restored and renewed.
In fact, it will be made perfect.
And like Jesus’ risen body, she will never die again. That’s because Jesus is making all things
new.
Lucy had told me many times that her
favorite hymn is “In the Garden.” She
liked the idea of Jesus walking with her and talking with her. The hymn retells the story of Mary Magdalene
encountering Jesus immediately after his resurrection. Jesus appeared to her in the garden where the
empty tomb was. In that garden, Jesus consoled
Mary who thought that death had killed the Lord. But Jesus lives, and he lives to comfort us
in our sorrows. Our Lord, however, does
not tell us to find him in a garden. He tells
us to find him in his word and sacraments.
That is where Jesus delivers the benefits of his death and resurrection. That is where Jesus comes to comfort,
encourage, and sustain us in the Christian faith. It is why Lucy came to our chapel services
every week. Lucy knew she needed it. You need it, too, if you desire to enter the heavenly
kingdom.
Now, Lucy actually does walk and talk with
Jesus. And it is not a momentary
visit. It is an eternal conversation. St. John tells us about the glories that
await God’s people: “Look! God’s dwelling is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be his
people. God himself will be with them,
and he will be their God. He will wipe
away every tear from their eyes. There
will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things
have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). The
former things are sin and sickness, pain and sorrow, guilt and grief, and every
problem that we endure in this world.
But not in heaven. All sin will
be taken away. All things will be made new. The Lord will bring his redeemed to the
perfect Paradise he has prepared for us.
While
Lucy’s body awaits the resurrection, her soul dwells with the Lord in peace and
joy. The joys of heaven will never get
old. The glories of heaven will never
fade. The peace of heaven will never be
interrupted. It is the kind of life that
everyone longs for. It is the life that
Jesus Christ has won for us. Lucy longed
for it. And now she has it.
The one who was seated on the throne
said to me, “‘Look, I am making everything new!’ He also said, ‘Write, for these words are
trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5).
These words are trustworthy and true.
They are your hope in times of grief.
They are your confidence in the face of death. They guarantee an eternity of peace and joy
in the presence of a Savior who loved you enough to live for you, die for you,
and conquer death for you. Jesus loved Lucy-Goosey,
too. And now he tells her face-to-face.
Death will have an end. Life will not. The former things will pass away. The goodness of God will remain. Jesus will make all things new.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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