John 10:11-16; Romans 8:31-39; Isaiah 43:1-3a, 25
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If there was anything that was important to Merlyn, it was his faith and his family. Merlyn enjoyed cooking for family get-togethers and even washing the dishes thereafter. He was the go-to guy for important dates like birthdays, confirmations, anniversaries, etc. Merlyn loved his family, and he loved people in general. He could talk to anyone. Sadly, Merlyn, and you his family, are representative of something that has become quite rare in our day and age – the family that stays local and sticks together. The oldest of five siblings, Merlyn grew up on the family farm south of Sumner in the Buck Creek region. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Spring Fountain and attended country school at Dayton #2 through eighth grade followed by high school at Sumner Community High School. After graduation, Merlyn worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the Army three years later. All those years Merlyn was content to stay local and work and worship with his family.
Though the Army took him away from home for the first time, at Fort Riley in Kansas Merlyn served as a Chaplain’s Assistant – still practicing his faith, still serving others. Then he returned home to Sumner and began studying at Wartburg College, from whence he matriculated and became a teacher – once again, still serving others. Though he never married nor had children of his own, as a Chaplain’s Assistant, a teacher, a son, a brother, an uncle, and more, Merlyn loved and served others. Though his first teaching assignments took him away once again to Indiana and then northeast Iowa, after five years he was back home in Sumner, teaching at the same high school he graduated from until he retired in 1992. When Dad died in 1971, Merlyn took on a natural and fatherly leadership role amongst his siblings and helped his mother. Because of his assistance, Mom was able to remain home until she died in the Lord as well. Up until his own death this past week Merlyn lived near his family, three siblings living at Eisenach Village here in Waverly, and another not too far away in Dubuque.
Merlyn loved antiquing, gardening, cooking, and playing cards. He was a kind and generous man who couldn’t understand the violence and division plaguing our world today. Merlyn’s solution was simply to keep on doing what is good, right, and true: Faith, family, kindness, generosity, compassion. He was a man of peace who was at peace with God and man. He knew the Peace of God which passes understanding, Jesus Christ, and therefore was at peace should the Lord call him home at any time – which he actually thought was happening some time ago when the cemetery supervisor from Spring Fountain called to ask Merlyn if he would like to purchase the plot next to his own, to keep it in the family. Merlyn had fallen asleep and thought that God was calling him home right then and there!
Well, God was not calling Merlyn home at that moment, however God was calling Merlyn throughout his long life: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Here at St. John, those words are associated with two events in a Christian’s life – his baptism and his funeral. That banner over there in the chancel is a reminder of that promise: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
God was for Merlyn, as He is for all whom He has elected in His Son Jesus Christ. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, shepherded Merlyn all his long life. Jesus led Merlyn through the still waters of Holy Baptism. Jesus guided Merlyn through the valley of the shadow of death that is this life and world with the rod and staff of His Word. Jesus prepared a table and nourished Merlyn with His own body and blood in the presence of the enemy. Jesus anointed Merlyn with the chrism of His Holy Spirit and promised to be with him to the end of the age. Jesus filled Merlyn so full of His love, mercy, grace, kindness, charity, compassion, and forgiveness that, not only was he full and satisfied and content, but he was filled to overflowing in abundance which he shared freely with others. Jesus’ goodness and mercy followed Merlyn all his long life and now Merlyn dwells in the house of the LORD forever.
In fact, when I think of Merlyn, I think of the Good Shepherd. In many ways Merlyn was a shepherd of various flocks of sheep. Merlyn shepherded soldiers during the Korean conflict as a Chaplain’s Assistant. Merlyn shepherded his mother and siblings after his father died, taking on a father-like roll. Merlyn shepherded his students in his various teaching roles. Merlyn shepherded his family in his later years, enjoying and encouraging their company and preparing food for them all to enjoy together. Yes, Merlyn was a shepherd, following in the steps of his Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. But Merlyn was also a sheep cared for and protected by his Good Shepherd. And now the Good Shepherd has called His sheep Merlyn by name to His Father’s house where His sheep may safely graze. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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 again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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