Brent Kuhlman

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Saturday of Epiphany 5                                             
6 February 2010           

Funeral of Joel T. Furgerson

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 

“I liked that one,” Joel remarked.  Liked what?  It was one of the hymns I sang at his bedside last week. The third stanza of the hymn goes like this:

Thou art King of Glory Christ
Son of God, yet born of Mary.
For us sinners sacrificed
As to death a Tributary
First to break the bars of death
Thou hast opened heav’n to faith. (#940 LSB)

After you’ve battled cancer for 17 years and your body wears out from pneumonia, the only thing that holds is Jesus.  Yes, that’s right, Jesus.  Son of God Jesus born of Mary.  For sinners He did a Good Friday.  For you, me, Joel and for all!  Took all our sin, your sin, and Joel’s in His Body on the cross.  He didn’t leave any out.  His Good Friday Dead Body is the sacrifice that atones for all sin and for every sinner.  Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

So what?  I’ll tell you so what.  The forgiveness of sins that comes with Good Friday and Easter Morning Jesus provides benefits for the long haul.  Remarkable gifts.  Especially for Joel who believed in Jesus.  It’s the resurrection of the body on the Last Day.   

“Listen, I tell you a mystery … we will all be changed – in a flash in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.” 

For years we saw Joel “change” in his perishable and mortal body.  In a few minutes we’ll bury the remains of his perishable and mortal body. 

But this is not all there is.  Jesus has died.  Jesus has risen.  He said He would do it and He did.  His resurrection makes all the difference for you.  And for Joel.  Jesus has the last say.  He is the Lord.  And He lords the reign of His death and resurrection over you.  He did with Joel.  Baptized Joel into His Good Friday death and Easter resurrection.  And Jesus gave him this promise:  “He who believes and is baptized will be saved,” (Mark 16:16).  Fed Joel with His most holy body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar.  And there another promise of Jesus:  “For you, for the forgiveness of your sins,” (Matthew 26:28).

All this means precisely what the text says:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  Christ’s victory!  He’s the Victor!  He’s the Savior!  And His victory He gives to Joel. 

The whole enchilada of salvation that Jesus won for Joel includes the resurrection of the body on the Last Day. 

I told Joel last week that when he passed away the next thing he would hear would be Jesus.  And what will Jesus say?  “Time to get up Joel!  Resurrection Day!”  And Justin, on that day, your Dad will be just like you, a teenager, like when your Mom wakes you in the morning.  On the Last Day your Dad will say:  “What?  Time to get up already?  I just fell asleep!” 

And on that day Jesus will give Joel a new body.  “The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”  Jesus created Joel’s body.  Redeemed Joel’s body.  Sanctified his body.  Mary and Justin, Jesus won’t abandon Joel.  He’ll be given a new body on the Last Day. 

Can you imagine the smile on his face?  Can you imagine the hug he’ll give you Mary?  I don’t know if Joel liked to dance but on that day you might want to be ready!  And Justin, you’d better be ready to play a little one on one.  Robin and I will ref.  We’ll foul your Dad out of the game if you like.  And even with that the smile on his face will never end. We’ll all have a big laugh together, a couple of Gatorades and Joel will probably say:  “How about the best 2 out of three?  Without the refs this time!”  

All will be made new in Jesus.  He is the resurrection and the life.  And for you who believe in Him you will be given imperishable and immortal bodies for life everlasting with this Lord.   

That’s exactly why we, can even now, get right in death’s face and proclaim:  “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?” 

And death has no answer.  For death is a defeated enemy. 

Jesus has won!  He was the first to break the bars of death.  He has opened heaven to faith.  “Thanks be to God!  He gives us [He gives Joel and you] the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

In the Name of Jesus.