John 14:1-6; Romans 8:31-39; Isaiah 43:1-3, 25
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
It seems appropriate to say “gone too soon” when a man like Dave, in his early 60s, is taken from us. Not just any man, but a husband, a father, a grandfather; a friend, a veteran, a brother in Christ. Dave survived many difficulties in life, even service in Desert Storm – for which we are eternally grateful – and now he is “gone too soon.” What then shall we say to these things?
What shall we say when nothing seems to make sense? What shall we say when no words can bring him back? What shall we say when human words fail, when grief edges toward despair, and tears harden into heartache? What then shall we say to these things?
Perhaps it’s best to say nothing at all. Perhaps it’s best to sit in silence and let God’s Word speak. For our gracious and merciful God does have something to say. Let us pause our struggle to find the right words and listen to what our Lord declares.
From Isaiah: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” You see those words on the banner over there, with Dave’s name woven in. The LORD knew Dave by name before he was born, even before he was conceived. The LORD knew Dave’s name and prepared the works he would do before there was a Dave to walk them out. More than that, the LORD knew He would redeem Dave, forgive all his sins in Jesus, before there was a Dave, before his first sin, before the world itself. “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.”
Forgiveness, mercy, grace, that’s what we long to hear, what we need to hear. Dave was a good man: a devoted husband, father, grandfather; a loyal friend, soldier, patriot, worker, American. We could list all sorts of good things about him, and it might warm our hearts. But the truth is, none of that matters for salvation or life after death. Being good won’t open heaven’s gates, but faith in the Good Man, Jesus, will.
God so loved the world – God so loved Dave, and you – that He gave His only Son to death on the cross, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. As Romans declares: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Nothing – nothing – can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Dave loved to build and tinker. He crafted his own “Man Shed,” stocked with heat, A/C, microwave, fridge, even a hammock – everything but running water! He hosted parties for family and friends, cheering on the Steelers or watching the races. An avid tool collector, he scoured flea markets, sales, and auctions for them. Most of all, he cherished his motorcycles, riding off for hours or days with Catherine.
Dave adored his family, especially you grandchildren. He treasured those vacations to the Henry Doorly Zoo, trips to Adventureland, picnics in the park. He loved camping at Cedar Bend, hiking and biking the trails; heading to Wisconsin Dells for dinner adventures – the fried chicken was legendary, though he was just as content at Pizza Ranch. He loved his kids and grandkids so deeply that, on his own birthday, he’d let you pick the spot: McDonald’s it often was.
Dave loved you, and you loved Dave. Love comes from God, for God is love. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, for Dave, for you, for us all. Jesus taught that the greatest love is to lay down your life for others. Dave showed this love in countless ways, small and great. While that brings smiles or tender tears, it’s not the source of our comfort, peace, and hope today. No, those flow from God’s promises, confirmed, sealed, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Dave was a child of God, purchased and cleansed in Christ’s blood. God made a promise to Dave in Jesus, a promise Dave was baptized into, and God does not break His promises.
“Let not your hearts be troubled,” Jesus says in John’s Gospel. “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.” Thomas – yes, Doubting Thomas – replied, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” Sadly, many in our world, even some baptized, seem not to know the way, or they have lost it along the journey. Jesus answered plainly: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Yes, Jesus is the way. Jesus is the only way. But Jesus is for all – for everyone, for you. Jesus was for Dave. And because of that, we hold comfort, peace, and hope amid grief, sorrow, and tears. God keeps His promises; His promise to Dave and to you is in Jesus. Blessed are those who die in the Lord, for they rest with Him. We will see them again, and no one can steal that joy from us.
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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