Where is our hope on quite possibly the hardest day of your life?
You’re walking into church, you’re following the casket of the one that you love: mom or dad, brother or sister, or maybe a great friend from school.
Where is our baptism then?
This is what St.Paul says: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3)
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too may live a new life.
We now live in Christ!
Where is our hope on that very hard day?
Our hope is in the gospel. Our hope is in Jesus.
In Lutheran churches, a large white gown is placed over the casket, called a funeral palm.
It reminds us what happened in their own baptism — they were clothed in Christ’s righteousness. God no longer sees the sin and damnation they deserve. He sees His Son. He sees Christ — holy and righteous.
Our hope is in the fact that Jesus gave this loved one eternal life. He forgave their sins. He made an eternal promise to them that He would be with them every day of their life. And when this day comes, he will take them home to be with Him.
Our hope is in His glorious resurrection.
It’s in Christ who has overcome sin and death and devil and has kept his promise to this one that you love.
Contributor Randy Sturzenbecher is Pastor at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Blackhawk, SD, and serves as President of the Higher Things Board of Directors.
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