John 14:1-6; 1 John 3:1-2; Isaiah 43:1-3a, 25
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” These words from Psalm 116 are at once mysterious and comforting. They are mysterious because there is truly nothing precious about death. Despite what the world may feign, there is nothing natural about death either. Our Lord did not create us to die, but to live with Him in His gracious presence forever. No, death is not natural, but it is the most unnatural thing there can be. Death is tragic and it is sad, but death has been defeated by our God who died, who lives, and who is coming again to raise us from death to life that cannot die. Thus, the words of Psalm 116 are also comforting. They are comforting because, though we cannot fully understand them, and though we grieve and our hearts are heavy this day, and our eyes are filled with tears, they are true words, and we know them to be true. Eugene knew those words to be true as well. And because of that, Eugene did not fear death, for he knew where he was going, that he would be with the Lord.
In that respect Eugene had prepared some handwritten notes some time ago in preparation for his future death, an obituary of sorts. You can do that thoughtfully, intentionally, and happily when you know that death is not the end of your life, but a new beginning of a sort. With faith and hope in Christ who died, but who is risen, for a Christian, preparing for death is like packing for a trip you are looking forward to. You know where you’re going, and you know that it is good, and you know that, ultimately, you’ll get to enjoy it with all those you love, and that joy will never end. Eugene listed the basics in his notes: Birth, baptism, confirmation, education, military service, marriage, children, community service, hobbies, retirement. And, at the end of the list Eugene wrote these words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1. It was his confirmation verse.
“The Lord is my shepherd” – I am not alone. My Lord Jesus is with me. Moreover, He has passed this way before, and so His guidance is expert and invaluable. Jesus traveled through the valley of the shadow of death that is our human life on this earth, and He knocked down the gates of hell that would have kept us in our graves. Indeed, the gates of hell fell before Him, death was defeated, and it has been transformed into an open passage to His Father’s house where He has prepared a place for all who will believe and trust in Him. Eugene knew where he was going. He believed in God, and he believed also in God’s Son Jesus Christ His Good Shepherd, Savior, and Redeemer. “Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s won! Death no longer can appall me; Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done! From the grave will Christ recall me.” “Jesus lives! And now is death but the gate of life immortal; This shall calm my trembling breath when I pass its gloomy portal.” Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I shall not want. Think about that! To have no want, no need, of anything at all. How freeing and liberating that would be! The thing is, Jesus offers you that freedom, contentment, and peace right now, not only at the end of your earthly life. From what I’ve come to know about Eugene, I think there’s little doubt that he knew that also. When Jesus is your shepherd, what is there to worry about or to fear? If God is for you, who can be against you? That’s right, no one. Therefore, Eugene could focus on the things that he enjoyed, the things that he loved: Family, farming, hunting and fishing, community, faith and church. For 87 years Eugene was blessed by the Lord; he was blessed to be a blessing. And he was a blessing.
Eugene grew up on a farm outside of Readlyn that was homesteaded by his Great-Great Grandfather in the 1800’s. It was designated a century farm and Eugene was immensely proud of it. Though he achieved a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wartburg College, the farm called Eugene and became his career until he retired in 2020. But it was perfect. He was at home with his family in a tight-knit community where he could serve as a trustee for the Maxfield Township, a director for the Readlyn Savings Bank, and in numerous positions here at his beloved Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Eugene loved the outdoors. He was so very happy to be tending to the livestock, tilling, planting, and harvesting the corn and beans, trapping fur game, hunting pheasant, deer, and moose, and caring for his watermelons in the garden. He also enjoyed making his famous caramels and attending his children’s and grand-children’s 4-H and sporting events. All of this flowed from Eugene’s fear, love, and trust in his Good Shepherd Jesus who freed him and blessed him to serve in so many vocations. After his retirement, Eugene took advantage of his free time to watch other farmers bringing in the harvest and weighing their crops. Eugene was blessed by the Lord with numerous vocations, holy callings, and he served them all in love, peace, contentment, and joy in fear, love, and trust in His Lord and Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.
Eugene met Jan at Wartburg and they were married on August 27, 1961. They were blessed with four children and seven grandchildren, a beautiful and loving family. Eugene saw that his children were baptized and confirmed and instructed in the Christian faith and confession. Eugene and Jan prayed devotions together daily and attended services here at Immanuel weekly. The family prayed together, offering thanks to the Lordat meals and celebrated the milestones of a life lived in Christ. We’ll be saying a table blessing giving thanks to the Lord for His gifts at the end of this service so that no one eats today without giving thanks to the Lord. Eugene would not approve of that. “Jesus lives! For me He died, hence will I, to Jesus living, pure in heart and act abide, praise to Him and glory giving. All I need God will dispense; this shall be my confidence.”
Jan, Laurie, Michael, Gina, Mindy, grandchildren, friends, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Baptized into Christ 87 years ago, Eugene followed his Good Shepherd Jesus all the days of his long and blessed life, through this valley of the shadow death, to his Father’s house where Jesus has prepared a place for him. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Jesus who has gone to prepare a place for you in His Father’s house as well. You know the way, just as Eugene knew the way, for Jesus is the way. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” “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.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” “Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.” “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is they faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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